I mentioned in my first name activities for preschoolers post that this was an area that we were having a little trouble remembering in our daily routine. I am glad to say that with the new organization system and the rotating name bags, we now have a good routine going.
It is taking us about 2 minutes per day. After the first month the kids are still enjoying the activities, and they have both shown growth in letter and name recognition. I am also using the time when they have completed each daily activity to incorporate a few extra skills. I usually only ask one of these questions per day, but some of the questions I ask after a child is done spelling are:
1) Can you please spell your name out loud?
2) How many letters are in your name?
3) Which letter is first in your name?
4) Which letter is last in your name?
5) Can you say the sound represented by each letter in your name?
6) What is another word that starts with the same sound as this letter in your name? (Usually the child will go through each letter saying another word that starts with the same letter.)
7) (While looking at two names) Which letters are used in both names?
What other questions would you ask?
This Month’s New Name Activities
For this month we will continue to practice spelling our names using our name bags. We will experiment with writing them outside of this morning practice time.
You may differentiate the activities a bit by adding the child’s last name as kids are ready. I should also note that we do a mixture of all capital letters for some activities and standard format (capital at the beginning only) for others depending on what materials I have available. This way kids are exposed to both formats.
Toy Car Names
I found some toy cars on sale recently, and I knew these would be a very fun way to spell names. I simply wrote on the roof of each car with a black Sharpie marker. The kids will spell their names by lining up the cars. After I check the spelling, they will play with them for a while as they wait for snack (or others to finish).
Bead Names
We will incorporate a little fine motor practice by using small alphabet beads. There are so many alphabet bead options to choose from. Just be sure to check the size of the hole in the bead so that it isn’t too challenging for kids to work with. I rolled one end of a pipe cleaner (chenille stem) so the kids could have a small handle to hold and to keep the beads from falling off the end.
Paint Chip Names
We had a few paint chips in our supplies, and I am loving all of the colorful paint chip crafts I am seeing around the web. I added 1-inch vinyl letters to spell each child’s name. Ours were left over from an old mailbox project, but you can find them in the hardware department or use whatever labeling method you prefer. I love the way they look, especially for longer names (just be careful the paint chip you choose is long enough for the letters of the name). The gradual change in color also gives a self-checking option to help guide the kids, which I think is another bonus.
If I were still teaching in the classroom, I think this would be a very neat activity to go along with The Crayon Box that Talked or a general getting to know you project. Each child could spell their name on their favorite color. Then attach a picture of the child and make an adorable wall display. Cute!
Re-purposed Lid Names
We have been collecting the clear Gerber containers and lids. For this activity I attached 2-inch letters (a surprise set that I found in the package from the paint chip letters!).
Foam Shape Names
Last month we used foam letters, and this month I wanted to include a little touch of Valentine’s Day. Although I could definitely use hearts any time of year. These hearts came in a pack from Walmart for a little over a dollar, and I am seeing many different options as I shop at others, too.
More Hands-on Name Activities
You can also find more ideas now on my Learning Names Pinterest Board.
What are some of your favorite activities for learning names? How do you incorporate them into your schedule?
Debbie @ http://kidsbibledebjackson.blogspot.com/
Thanks so much for sharing this at Mom’s Library! Great ideas… pinned it!
Shaunna
So glad you liked the ideas! Thanks for pinning!
Trisha @ Inspiration Laboratories
Such great ideas! Thanks for sharing at the Sunday Showcase. I’ve pinned this to our feature board. 🙂
Shaunna
Thanks! I will stop by to check it out and share on Sunday.
Tricia @ Two Big Two Little
I love these ideas for helping a child learn their name 🙂
Thanks for linking up to the Kid’s Co-Op. I’m featuring this post on my Co-op post this week and pinning it to the Co-Op board on Pinterest as well 🙂
Shaunna
Thanks so much for featuring these activities. We are enjoying them, and I hope your readers do, too!
jaime
my oldest is here with me while i try to get in a few min of computer time and he saw the cars with a name on them and he is so excited and wants to spell his name this way! This is something we are working on so thanks for the extra ideas:-)
Shaunna
I think the cars stole the show this month here, too. I hope your son enjoys practicing with them!
Ali @craftyWImama
I just LOVE the cars idea. With two little boys, I’m going to have to do this!!!
THanks for such fun and creative way to help us teach our kids how to read!
Shaunna
Thanks! The cars are one of the favorites of this rotation for sure. They even ask for the letter cars during their free play time (even though we have a full bin of other toy cars). I hope your boys enjoy the activity.
Jill
You are so creative! I would have never thought to use the cards or lids. I have pinned this post! Thank you for linking up this week to the Hearts for Home Blog Hop!
Shaunna
I would never think to call myself creative, but thanks! I am glad you liked the ideas.
tonya1026
Your activities for learning names are really cute. I like how they address the visual and the hands on learner. Some of those activities might work for learning their telephone number.
Tonya Simmons
smartandsnazzykids.com
Shaunna
Thanks, Tonya! That’s a great point. Many of them could be adapted for learning their telephone number.
Amie @ Triple T Mum
We are just starting out with learning to recognise our name, so your activities will come in handy 🙂 Popping in from TGIF
Shaunna
So glad they will be helpful! My kids are really enjoying the activities. They even ask me for them if I forget to set them out at our regular time. And they have both improved so much in recognizing and spelling their names!
sarahelisabeth
The questions are particularly useful. I find that the little things that happen every day add up to important learning.
Shaunna
Thanks! I was hoping the questions would be helpful. You are right about the little things. So much learning happens in the every day moments!
Ann @ My Nearest and Dearest
These activities are great, Shaunna. My son would especially enjoy lining up cars to spell his name.
Thanks also for including the questions you ask the kids. Very helpful!
Shaunna
Thanks, Ann! I am guessing that the cars will be the favorite here, too. So glad the questions were helpful. I am trying to remember all the little details, so I don’t forget them when I repeat with my youngest. 😉