Fun Pre-writing Activities

It's so beneficial to offer pre-writing activities to do with toddlers and preschoolers that strengthen their hands in preparation for writing later. These activities also help develop their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills (that help them to successfully use their hands). 

I recommend that all these pre-writing activities be closely supervised, as many include choking hazards; the pegs may pinch, and glass dropper bottles could break. Only share the ones with your child that you feel comfortable with. 

Pegging a Container Pre-Writing Activity

Collect a few spring-loaded pegs for this pre-writing activity. If you have different kinds, find the easiest ones for them to squeeze with their small hands in mind.

Simply ensure the container's opening has a smooth, flat surface. Demonstrate how to push the pegs onto the top of open the container. We store the pegs inside it with the lid on. 

The photo was taken when she was new to this activity, soon after she was using one hand.

Washing Dolls' Clothes and Hanging Them to Dry

Once the above activity is no longer a challenge for your child, extend it.

Outside, provide a dishwashing bowl of slightly soapy water, another with plain water for rinsing, a bowl or basket and small clothing or doll clothes. Encourage your child to wash the clothes by rubbing them together, rinsing, and wringing them out.

Hang a low washing line outside by tightly tying some strong string between two chairs or benches. I used a string that came out of one of my hoods. Provide pegs in a little bag or container. Demonstrate how and encourage your child to hang the clothes on the line to dry. I gave the clothes extra wringing out while they were hanging on the line, while this child wasn't looking.

Threading 2-Year-Old Pre-Writing Activities 

It's up to you whether you use a threading bead set or create a DIY version. For beginning threaders, using craft pipe cleaners can be easier. I bend over the very tips of the pipe cleaners back on themselves to avoid sharp ends. Simply bend the covered wire at one end instead of making a knot. Tube-shaped pasta usually works; just check that it fits first. 

I have wrapped sticky tape tightly around one end of the string to make it easier to thread; however, a spare shoelace or a short piece of fishing line would work too.

I tend to tie a few knots in the same spot at one end of the thread. Test any beads or tube pasta you choose to use to see how easy it is to thread and whether they stay on when shaken. If it's a challenge to keep the beads or pasta on, tie one of them onto the thread at the end. 

Lacing boards can be bought or made by cutting out simple shapes from card stock (ideally laminated) and using a paper hole punch around the edges. Use lace or string with tape tightly wrapped on one end and knotted at the other.

Using Dropper Bottles Pre-Writing Activity

Reuse cleaned dropper bottles. Explain the importance of being careful with glass if the bottles and droppers are made of glass. You could purchase a plastic dropper or a few if you like. Place two dropper bottles or two small containers - one filled with water and the other empty - along with a dropper on a tray. Add both the droppers if the child loves you to join in, like the one I did it with. Challenge your child to use the dropper to fill the other bottle or container after demonstrating. A paint palette, ice cube tray or a similar thing can add choice and variety to the activity. 

An extension to this is to mix food dye with water. Place a different color in each small container. Either provide one dropper per color or use a single dropper. Add them to an easy-to-clean tray, lined with kitchen foil, (warning: they may stain the tray) along with a few pieces of folded kitchen paper. 

Dress your child in old clothes and/or a waterproof sleeved apron or bib (because food dye stains clothes and skin). I would suggest placing the tray on a large pinned-down trash bag and/or a large old towel. Direct your child to keep the activity on the tray. Let them decorate the kitchen paper. Color mixing is a bonus learning opportunity. 

Stacking Bands on Sticks Pre-Writing Activities

I have cut down and sanded wooden skewers for the DIY toddler activity I explain below. I let the child place multiple sticks in the play dough and then puts tiny hair ties over them. 

This slot plaything using a salt/herb/spice shaker is the reason why I cut and sanded wooden skewers in the first place. This also creates a hand-eye coordination challenge. Just make sure the sticks fit in the shaker jar you have, before you sand the ends.

I made the stick and egg box slot plaything in a similar way to the pom-pom one above, just using a stick after the scissors instead. Later, give the sticks and upside-down egg box to your child. When they are ready, hand them small elastic bands or tiny hair ties to stack on the sticks. Again, if you like, you could use poster or kids' paint to create a color-matching activity, too. This activity needs direct supervision.

Dropping Buttons Through Cardboard Tubes

Encourage your child to hold up a toilet roll or kitchen roll tube and drop a button through, which lands on the tray below. To increase the challenge, place a small container for them to aim at. You could swap the buttons for pom-poms, marbles, dried beans, hair clips, small hair ties, craft gems and bottle lids (just check they fit). 

Small Items in Trays with Compartments 

Again, use what you have for these pre-writing activities. Raw beans, bottle lids, hair clips, hair ties, buttons, craft pom-poms, shells, marbles, or craft gems are loose parts that I've introduced to young children. I found trays with separate compartments often hold their attention when they have small objects to move around in them. Children in my care have used ice cube trays, silicone food molds, clean paint palettes, and used egg boxes (again, cardboard ones can be sterilized in the microwave for 10 seconds, or the others can be washed by hand). 

Similar pre-writing activities can be found on the Toddler Sensory Play Page, which are also loved by pre-schoolers.

To find more Practical Playthings for 3-Year-Olds, click the link.