Preschool Learning: Paper Cut-Out Writing Activity

Preschoolers are still developing their eye-hand coordination and fine motor skills, so it takes time to master perfect penmanship. What does a picnic have to do with writing, you ask? With a few twists, you can turn a simple pretend picnic into a fun activity that'll give those little hands (and brain) a workout!
What you need:

• Paper
• Old magazines
• Child-sized scissors
• Markers or pencils
• Picnic blanket
• Dolls, action figures, etc.
• Snacks (Why not make it a real picnic to boot?)

How to do it:

• Using old magazines, have your child cut out pictures of food with child-sized scissors (supervised, of course!). Older children can draw the food items if they want!
• Then have your child write up a menu. You can help spell out the words as he writes the letters.
• For early learners, use ruled paper (or draw lines) to help them keep their letters straight. (But don't worry if they're not!)
• Don't forget place mats and place cards! For each "guest," have your child draw a picture of a picnic attendee. Write the guest's name at the top.
• Now, using the magazine cut-outs, serve the "food" to your "guests." You and your kid can of course, munch on the real stuff!

Brain-Building Bonus: Want to help your budding sketch artist even further? Grab a digital camera and take pictures of some familiar or nearby objects: a tree, your car, even the picnic blanket. Then have your kid draw those objects. For younger children, you can start the drawing and have them finish the parts, pointing out all the different shapes as you go. Or you draw the picture, and have them trace the outline. Older children can look at the picture and try to draw the shapes that they see.
How this builds brains: By practicing holding the pencil or crayon and moving her pencil on paper, as well as cutting out objects, your child is developing her fine-motor skills and eye-hand coordination, which sets the stage for penmanship.
Get more brain-building activities for your kid! Check out our Brain Building Boot Camp with Dr. Christine Ricci.