Saturday, October 23, 2010

Salt Box for Early Penmanship

**  I have been having problems since Thursday, trying to upload photos with blogger.  Sorry.  Photos may be added later...***


When I started actually working on "school" work with the kids this year,
I was surprised to see how Gillian was struggling with her pencil. 
I got her a cool grippy finger positioner.
And, I thought tracing letters would be with her pencil would be no problem.

Even though she is a super smart kid (she is, really, I am not bias),
writing isn't something that just "came naturally".
I was too optimistic.
(Or maybe I was too lazy - thinking I wouldn't have to actually teach!)

I realized I needed to stop & do a rewind. 
So, we made a salt box.

In saying I "made" a salt box,
all that means is I bought a document box at Walmart for $5
& 3 canisters of $0.38 table salt.
I poured the salt in the box.
Done.  Made.


Check out these Montessori links on early penmanship.
Here a teacher talks about sandpaper letter tracing & a sand box.
(I think the sand box & salt box idea are pretty much the same thing.)
Here's a word to teachers on dealing with struggling penmanship.
There are ideas to help train fine muscle control & teach early letter formation.

The salt box has been fun.  I think it is making a difference.
Plus, Gillian loves salt.  So, she likes to lick her fingers afterward.


Something I am still trying to figure out for her is her "handedness".
She has always used both hands interchangeably.
We are watching & asking her how it feels,
after she uses her right & her left.
We're not sure yet, but we think she leans towards the left.

6 comments:

Stef said...

Ethan was the same way, Erin! He would avoid writing and just stick with work he could do in his head and that's when I caught on to it.
We started using Handwriting Without Tears and he LOVES it! I've seen great improvement in his writing...
and mine :)

Brittany Martin said...

After 4 years now of teaching preschool, there seems to be a time around age 4-5 where handwriting "clicks" for kids. I have them start with tracing letters, and then move on to their names and the date. Usually they need pencil-holding help until they're at least 4, but tracing practice (especially the repeated movements, like doing one letter 10 times) really seems to help.

Charlotte said...

What a great idea! Using a document box...why couldn't I think of that? Thanks, Erin!

Charlotte said...

Erin, I had a question about the salt box....do you leave the salt in the box when you are not using it, and where do you store the box? I was thinking it would get crusty or hard, but for me it would be easier of I didn't have to pour the salt in every time I used it. Thanks!

Erin said...

Good question, Charlotte! I have been leaving it in the box. But, it has only been about a week since we started.
I am hoping the salt will be fine, since there is a lid for the box. We shall see!

Charlotte said...

I'll look for a document box with a lid....I was thinking of those file things that were 8x11 that you could put papers in to file....but those are open.

Thanks, Erin!