Prep: 5 Minutes / Activity Time: 5-7 Minutes

Your child at this stage of beginning writing may be learning to grasp a crayon with his thumb and finger. Your child will also begin to imitate scribbles, circles and vertical lines. These beginning fine motor activities lay the foundation that he will need for learning how to hold a pencil, tie his shoes and write his name.

  • cookie sheet or tray
  • paper
  • crayons or paintbrush
  • sand
  • rice or seeds

_DSC4736Step 1: Put a large sheet of paper on the bottom of a tray and then pour a thin layer of sand, rice or seeds on the tray. Show your child how to make circles and shapes in the sand, rice or seeds with a crayon or paintbrush.   

Step 2: Give your child a paintbrush or a crayon and let your child use the tool to move the sand, rice or seeds around on the tray.  This activity works best with your toddler in your lap so that you can closely supervise. If weather permits, you can also do this activity outdoors so that spilling does not become a problem.