5 Steps to choose the right Educational Guide for your Child
Step #1 - Pre Reading & Writing:
- pre writing shapes and pencil strokes - practicing basic letter direction; top to bottom of page, left the right
- visual scanning - scanning the page to find objects is a pre reading skill needed to later scan the page from left the right to read
- multi sensory play – pens and paper aren’t necessary at this age; think outside the box and integrate playdough, kinetic sand, paint, shaving cream** and different textures into play with these handwriting guides. Or use chunky paintbrushes or crayons on a vertical surface (easel or window) to develop gross motor skills before fine motor skills.
**test on the plastic prints first to make sure the ingredients don’t damage the print
Step #2 - Letter and Number Awareness:
- correct letter formation - start at the top at the green dot, left to right, finish at the red dot
- letter and number recognition
- sounding out letters and recognising each letter has a sound (phonics)
- counting numbers and recognising each numeral represents a certain number
Step #3 - Letters and Number Formation:
- refined Fine Motor Skills – smaller fonts and smaller letter patterns
- increased fluency
- letters and numbers are recognised and child can in most cases correctly form the letters but needs practice
- Personalised Names
- Prep Set of 5
Step #4 - Visual Handwriting Guides:
- resources to remind children how to write letters and numbers correctly where letter direction prompts are not needed
- reference guides
- resources for free writing and story telling or recounting
- Desk Strip
- Dotted thirds