Glue a Bumpy Alphabet!

What You Need:

• White glue
• Popsicle sticks or an old pencil
• Food coloring (optional)
• Markers
• 26 large index cards
• Paper plates

What You Do:

1. Using thin markers, write one letter of the alphabet on each index card. Include your child in this process. Younger children can name the letters. Older preschoolers can share in the writing itself.
2. Squeeze some white glue onto a paper plate. If you’d like, add a drop or two of food coloring to the glue for a nice color effect (not required if you used colorful markers to create the alphabet on the index cards).
3. It’s time for glue writing! Have your child dip a popsicle stick into the glue mixture and draw each letter, following the pattern of the pre-drawn template on each index card. Be sure to focus on just one letter at a time. After your child traces the written letter in glue, set that card aside to dry.
4. Cards all dry? It’s time to play with the bumpy bet! (a.k.a the alphabet, bumpy style) Have your child touch and feel the letters he created and trace his fingers over each letter so he can feel how it's formed. How well did the glue letters match the written ones? Which letters need another go-around? Feeling the handwriting strokes with his fingertips as he looks at the letter template will help your child make important connections.

Keep the cards for later play. For example, you can string several cards together to make words. Or you can add pictures of words that begin with each specific letter. Let your child be your guide, and keep those art supplies handy!