Teaching Your Preschooler to Write

Teaching your preschooler to write is what most parents work towards first, after learning some colors. We are so anxious to teach our child to write his name especially. However, some children are not ready to write when they are even 4. Furthermore, we often teach our child what the letters look like but not how to properly form the letters.

If you child is beginning to pretend to write, that is a good indication that they may be ready to learn to write his name. First, practice writing basic shapes following the mechanics of proper handwriting- left to right, top to bottom. Then you can make his name in dots (with the internet program or by yourself) and what him write the letters. You may want to start with one letter at a time. Also, be sure to teach capitals as the first letter and lower case for all other letters (when appropriate). Don't teach all capitals. Handwriting Without Tears has a great developmentally appropriate program for preschoolers for purchase. It is a good idea since it is geared towards preschool skills.

Keep an open mind when trying to teach a child to write. It is not important that they do it now. As long as they are drawing and coloring, they are on their way towards good fine motor skills.
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Halloween Safety Tips

For those of you that actually get to trick or treat on Halloween (my city "schedules" it for the closest Saturday), you need to remember you Halloween Safety tips! While Halloween in my small town is relatively safe, we all know that is not the case everywhere.

Since my two children are young, I do not see much benefit in trick or treating. After we got home, the candy remained in the car and they forgot about it (I did bring it it today)! I do not mind them having candy, but what child does not get obsessed about eating it! Not their mother... I had Halloween candy until Easter. While my siblings candy was gone in days. I most remember switching candy with my BFF neighbor the day after to get rid of everything I did not want... even though I did not eat it!

Halloween is fun, but be safe! And have fun on the real Halloween.

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