Acknowledgements - gapitc

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Sand Writing
Fill a dishpan or large baking pan with damp sand.
Invite your two year old to explore the sand with her hands and fingers.
She can pat it down, build up mounds, or dig in with her fingers.
Model how to use your index finger to make circles and lines that show on the
top of the damp sand.
Show her that she can also make the “writing” disappear when she rubs her
hand across the surface of the sand!
Two year olds will begin to use writing tools to make simple marks on paper. These
marks may not look like “something” to the adult, but have meaning to the child.
You can help your child understand the many purposes for writing when he sees you
making a shopping list, writing a letter, filling out a form, or painting a sign. He will want
to imitate what you do!
Jumbo crayons are easy to grasp and may be less messy than markers and paints, but each
type of drawing tool gives your child a different fine motor and sensory experience.
The fine motor skills of most toddlers are limited. They will only enjoy writing and drawing
activities for a brief time. Balance these activities with lots of opportunities for active
play, such as running, sliding, and climbing.
Begin a collection of your child’s “writing.” Get a special box or notebook for the writing
samples. Write the date and a brief description of what your child “wrote.” As your
child gets older you will see how her scribbles turn into letter shapes, letters, words, and
sentences! You and your child will enjoy sharing this as she grows.