tips for getting my kid interested in writing letters

JAM2000

My son is almost 4- he knows all the letters- identifies them both upper case and lower case. He also knows all his numbers. But he has no interest in writing any letters with a crayon or pencil. He loves to watch me to it and says "mommy you do it" He'll color and draw- but does not want to write letters and numbers.

He's turning 4 in April and I'm not stressing about it, but I can't help but notice that some other kids his age are writing. My one friend's son does write letters but I do think that also has to do with the fact she has two older daughters who are like 'mini-mothers' to her son and like to 'play teacher' with him.

Anyway, like I said, I'm not stressing, but I'd like to know if anyone has some tips, etc for getting them interested in writing. His preschool teacher keeps insisting that it will "click" one day and he'll just want to start writing.

Thanks :-)

StephNJohn2008

Spread shaving cream on a flat surface, let him write them with his fingers on that.

Take a sheet of paper, fold it into fourths, he can stamp the letter, write it in pencil, write it in crayon, and write it in marker.

Use sand paper, he can write it with his finger on the sand paper.

Dry erase board with dry erase markers. 

miss1180

i was gonna say some of the same things... try it on something besides paper. writing in shaving cream.... maybe on the bathtub wall with some of those bath crayons... have him write them in sand (messy for inside probably), roll our some playdough, and have him write the letters on that with something.... silly putty pick ups ink, i think?? so maybe have him write the letter in pen, and then press the silly putty on there to show him how it "picks up" the letter...

EricaD521

the shaving cream thing is the best - though we do it with whipped cream or pudding. they love that.

AmyRob04

Have you tried any of the Kumen books? They're categorized by age and skill level and have lots of fun, educational activities in them.

JAM2000

AmyRob04:

Have you tried any of the Kumen books? They're categorized by age and skill level and have lots of fun, educational activities in them.

No, I haven't tried them. Can you buy them in a store or do you have to go through one of their centers?

jennmichael

you can buy the kumon books in target and michaels

AmyRob04

JAM2000:

AmyRob04:

Have you tried any of the Kumen books? They're categorized by age and skill level and have lots of fun, educational activities in them.

No, I haven't tried them. Can you buy them in a store or do you have to go through one of their centers?

I've bought themin Banes and Noble and maybe Target, and Amazon has them. You can find similar ones sometimes in the dollar stores, too.

Liz051405

I have a free iPhone app m likes. He also has a Leapstter game that does letters.

But I feel now that he just traces and I need/want to get him interested in writing without the dots to guide him. 

wed2506

She is right, it will click. Bella was like that LY in school. Once she started school this fall (turned 4 in July) she just got it. I bought a few dry erase books at Christmas Tree shop...she loved them. Whip cream sounds like fun!!