Spaghetti Letters

Purpose: This multi-sensory activity will give children an experience with writing that they will not forget.  This activity gives children a tactile experience of the letters as well as practice reading and writing their names.  Approaching the learning of the alphabet through a variety of senses helps all children, for it helps them to anchor their letter knowledge. It is particularly helpful for children of any age who have difficulty learning visually and verbally.  This activity is for children (generally older than 3) who have begun to make the connection between letters and sounds. The ability to discriminate between and recognize the letters is critical to their future reading success.  

 

Materials/Advance Preparation:

• cooked spaghetti (Use the thickest spaghetti and cook it the night before and toss it with a splash of oil---be sure not to overcook it!)
• paper plates or other sanitary workspace (a sheet of waxed paper will do)
• cards with each child's name printed on one

 

Directions:

1. After washing hands give each child a small mound of spaghetti and the card with her or his name on it.
2. Using the cards as a guide, children can write their names in spaghetti (or write any letters that you might be working on at the moment).
3. (Try not to notice as the spaghetti starts to disappear.)

    

Notes: A non edible alternative is to use a fabulous material called Wikki Stix.  They are colorful waxed strings and can be used over and over.  Children love them.  They can be bought at toy stores, educational supply houses, and teacher stores.

Eric Gidseg

 

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