Letter Formation

(This is a sideways J.  I didn't have the energy to figure out how to rotate the photo.)

S has just started to show an interest in writing letters and so we began with making letters in a tray of sand (I used a small box lid).  What I love about this is that he can use his finger instead of a writing instrument and it's very tactile, but it's a little too "open ended" for him right now.  He needs more of a guide...

(Again, too tired to rotate this.)

That's when I saw this idea and wanted to give it a try.  I bought the same border from Dollar Tree, cut it up, and laminated each letter.  You can use dry or wet erase markers.  I love it because there is room for error and it gives S a guide, but the dry erase markers are a little cumbersome for him still.

I think I might back it up a bit and try having him trace puffy paint letters with his finger first because they are so tactile. 

When his writing skills are more developed I plan to start using a highlighter to write letters/numbers and draw shapes and have him trace over my highlighter with a pencil, but he needs more room for error for now.