Fun activities to promote writing skills for young children

Preschoolers are just beginning to master the fine motor skills they'll need to write letters and numbers competently. Now, the child's efforts seem like scribbles. That's okay, because over time, your child's handwriting will improve. Now, your task is to make the child love to write. Here are 10 ways you can encourage your child to learn to write.

1.1. Shared Writing Whenever you're sitting down to write a letter or shopping list, pay a bill, or fill out an order, ask your child to join you. Give your child some writing paper, a blank check or deposit slip, or an order form for her to scribble while you run the business. Children will learn that writing is an essential part of everyday life.
1.2. Using sand to "write" words Help your child create letters and words from materials such as sand, glitter, or cookie dough. Cookie dough and pancake batter can also be used to form letters, and you'll be able to eat them once they're cooked.
1.3. Using clay to make words First, make large flashcards with letters of the alphabet or simple words. Roll out the cards if you can. Then wind the thin clay wires. Ask the child to trace the words or letters on the card with the clay string.
This game will not only help your baby learn to recognize words, but playing with clay will help build the muscles in his fingers and hone the motor skills needed to write.
1.4. Keep a log when you and your child travel together like a vacation, a visit to grandparents, a trip to the beach or the zoo. Have your child bring a notebook so she can write down what she sees and does, even if it's nothing but scribbles.

2.1. Dictation Ask your child to read a story to you while you write it down. You should choose an interesting topic, or you can let the child choose the topic. Try your child's most recent birthday party or a recent trip to grandma.
Even though the child is not actually writing it himself, he is watching you write down what he says. This is a great way to strengthen the connection between written and spoken words. As your child learns to write on his own, you can switch roles, you as the reader and the young as the writer.
2.2. Image description You and your child are looking at pictures in magazines, catalogs or story books together. Ask your child to tell you what he or she thinks people are doing or thinking, and write down what they say as comments. Or ask your child to recount a conversation he or she thinks you might be having.
2.3. "Publish" together a book Find drawings your child has drawn in previous years. Stick them on paper and ask the child to explain each one. Using thick cardboard, make the cover for the pages and let the child decorate it. Help your child write a title page, noting that he is the author. Punch holes in the pages and tie them together with string or ribbon. Treat it like a real book by storing it on a bookshelf with other children's books.

3.1. Keep a photo diary Take pictures of your child with friends and family. Stick them in a diary or scrapbook that you and your child make together or buy. Ask your child to tell you who is in the photo and where it was taken, and record what he or she says as a caption. This will be a great keepsake for your baby as he gets older.
3.2. Journaling Children love to talk about themselves. By journaling, children learn to "talk" about themselves in writing. Even if your preschooler is still struggling with letters, encourage him to write a word or two in a special daily notebook, which he can use with crayons or markers. Make journaling an enjoyable part of your child's routine, bedtime is often a good time to journal. If your child is having trouble getting started, you can help in the following ways:
Make specific suggestions: encourage your child to write about a visit with grandparents or a playdate he or she had, even if it's nothing but scribbles or "pretends". Ask your child to tell you what he or she wants to write in the diary while you write it down. Chances are, your child will soon feel the urge to write it himself. 3.2. Play with alphabet fridge magnets Playing with alphabet fridge magnets helps kids practice writing and spelling. Children can also mark letters using colored pencils, colored pencils. For portability, you can attach letters to the cookie tray.
Reading and writing are two basic but extremely important skills in life that everyone should have. However, many parents often pay attention to children learning to read earlier, and think that learning to write will be learned in school. This is not necessarily true, children can learn writing skills along with reading skills. Incorporating fun activities will help children learn to write in a more fun and enjoyable way.

Reference source: babycenter.com