The write start - Jennifer Hallissy 2010

Sand Writing
Guidelines for the Activities

I CAN’T THINK of any better way for young writers to hone their letter formation skills than to write with their fingers in sand. The surface area of a fingertip contains an extremely large concentration of tactile receptors, each one sending a message to children’s brains as they write. Sand makes all of those tiny little receptors positively hum with rich information.

And while sand writing is an ideal activity to do in a sandbox or at the beach (with the waves as Mother Nature’s eraser), an excursion is not required. Sand writing is just as engaging when done at the kitchen table or in the playroom. When you set this up, be ready to stay put for a while, though. Running your fingers through the sand is rather habit forming, and children love to explore this reinforcing (and relaxing) activity for what may seem like an eternity.

MATERIALS

∗ shallow box or tray

∗ about one to two cups of sand (cornmeal works too)

∗ broom and dustpan (optional, but advised)

HOW-TO

1. Fill the box or tray with about one-fourth to one-half inch of clean sand.

2. Show your children how to make shapes, trace letters, and write words in the sand.

3. Demonstrate how to “erase” the writing by smoothing out the sand with a flat hand.

4. Read and reinforce any writing your children want to share with you.

Variations

For Scribblers: Start with vertical and horizontal strokes, simple shapes, or lines with repeating patterns (such as waves, loops, or zigzags).

For Spellers: Practice one letter at a time over and over by playing “disappearing letter.” Act surprised when your child makes a letter vanish, saying, “Where on earth did that E go? It was just there! Can you find it?” Feign shock and amazement when they re-create it, as if by magic.

For Storytellers: Your Storyteller may love having two trays, side by side, one to draw in and one in which to write a word that corresponds to their picture.

For Scholars: More spelling words to practice for homework tonight? Ditch the drudgery, and pull out the sand tray instead.