Acknowledgements - gapitc

Pretzel Letters
Invite your child to help you prepare this simple pretzel dough recipe. Mix
together:
1½ cups warm water 4 cups of flour 1 egg
1 envelope of yeast 1 teaspoon of salt seasonings
After the dough has been mixed well, give your child enough to shape the first
letter of her name.
Work together to form the beginning letter for each family member’s name.
Carefully move the letters to a flat cookie sheet.
Let your child help brush the dough letters with a beaten egg.
Let her sprinkle the letters with coarse salt, cinnamon, or colored sugar.
Bake in the oven at 425 degrees for 8-10 minutes.
Foundations for writing include both thinking and physical skills. Children must
learn that words can be written down and have the ability to use writing tools.
You help your child become a writer when he observes you writing for many
purposes, such as making a shopping list, writing a letter, filling out a form, or
painting a sign.
At this age, children will have limited ability to use writing tools to form letters
or shapes. Encourage your child to practice and experiment with “writing,” but
do not expect her to write alphabet letters with the correct shape and direction.
Help your child move across paper from left to right.For example,he can arrange
a row of stickers on paper from left to right. You can draw a little arrow at the
top left side of the paper to remind him to start on the left.
Give your child small pieces of chalk or broken crayons to help learn the “tripod
grip” for writing and drawing.
Give your child an inexpensive journal from a dollar store. Encourage her to
scribble messages and ask if she would like you to write the words for her.
Due to individual differences,some children will enjoy working with writing tools
and spend lots of time drawing and scribbling. Other children will prefer more
active, large motor activities. Follow your child’s lead and do not force him to
write before he is ready.
Say to your child, “Tell me about your picture,” when she shows you marks,
scribbles, or simple drawings. This invites your child to tell what the drawings
mean to her. Asking the question, “What is it?” typically gets a one-word or
limited response. When your child describes her drawing, ask if she would like
you to write her words on the paper.
Three year olds begin to show a preference for using their right or left hand.
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