Pre-K · Week 20 · Art & Prewriting

Write with a finger

I can trace a large letter in a shallow tray of dry cereal with an adult.

Let’s get started

Today we will explore write with a finger through play. Grown-ups can model it first; children can respond by pointing, moving, speaking, or drawing. There is no speed test.

Learn together

  1. Watch together: Trace a large letter in a shallow tray of dry cereal with an adult.
  2. Try it as a team: Explain your picture to an adult. Pause, repeat and let the child lead.
  3. Try once more in a new way: Choose an easy-to-hold drawing tool. Celebrate the attempt, not perfect results.

Watch and try an example

Trace a large letter in a shallow tray of dry cereal with an adult.

Show what you noticed

  1. Show or tell a grown-up what you noticed while we explored write with a finger. An adult may enter the child's words.
  2. Try it again: Trace a large letter in a shallow tray of dry cereal with an adult. Tell your grown-up which part was fun or surprising.
  3. Draw, point, move, or talk to show what you learned about write with a finger. Adults can record an observation instead of requiring writing.

Five optional ways to revisit this week

Choose a few minutes on any days that suit your child; these are ideas, not mandatory daily assignments.

  1. Day 1 · Discover: Trace a large letter in a shallow tray of dry cereal with an adult. What did the child notice about write with a finger? A parent may record their spoken answer.
  2. Day 2 · Repeat: Repeat write with a finger together slowly. Encourage the child to choose the materials or lead the play. Describe how the child participated in write with a finger today.
  3. Day 3 · Change it: Explore write with a finger again in a different place or with another set of safe materials. What changed when you tried the activity differently?
  4. Day 4 · Pretend: Invite the child to explain or act out write with a finger for a toy animal or family member. Which part could the child explain, show, or imitate?
  5. Day 5 · Celebrate: Let the child choose one favorite part of write with a finger to repeat, draw or talk about. What is one skill, observation, or question to remember next time?

Family play extension

Family play extension: Trace a large letter in a shallow tray of dry cereal with an adult. Take a picture or save a drawing if your family wishes. This week's theme is pretend places.

Reflect and grow

What did you enjoy or notice about write with a finger? Let your grown-up write down your answer if you prefer to speak.