Jack loves writing capital letters. Why shouldn't he? They are made up of such simple shapes, many of them have similar movement patterns, and they all line up neatly next to each other instead of dipping down low or reaching up high like those pesky lowercase letters do. What's not to love?
But, when it comes to writing his name, I want him to learn to do it right, right from the start.
Once they're writing, kids write their names ALL the time, everywhere they can. With all of that repetition going on, you want to make sure they aren't getting into any bad habits. Because, as we all know, bad habits are hard to break. Not to mention that it's a real bummer to get to school and be told that you have to re-learn how to write your name. Kind of hard on an emerging writer's ego, if you know what I mean.
Enter the name slate -- an easy way to set kids up for name-writing success.
The name slate is a simple-yet-smart way to encourage children to practice writing their names. On the top of the slate is a permanent example of the child's name written with the first letter capitalized and the rest of the letters lowercase. Below is blank space to practice. It's that easy!
Materials:
8 x 10 chalkboard (found at most craft stores for a few dollars)
white acrylic paint
piece of chalk (small, to encourage a strong, steady tripod grasp)
little scrap of cloth (for erasing)
The basic how-to:
Write your child's name (with proper capitalization and spacing) in chalk at the top of the slate. Paint over you chalk letters with white acrylic paint. Let dry thoroughly. When dry, show your child how they can write their name, wipe it away, and write it again as often as they like. Ask for an autograph (kids like that!).
I know it may seem as if I'm kind of wacky for little chalkboards but truly I am. They are just so forgiving. A sweep of the hand or a wipe with a cloth can make any mistake disappear as if by magic. And knowing that your marks are so easily erased seems to make all the pressure and perfectionism that comes along with learning to write disappear as well.
And, hey, when kids become name-writing pros, they can just chalk it up to experience!
Try it... (and let me know if you do!)
Ask for an autograph - great idea :-)
I love all your chalkboard ideas. I can see why kids who are learning to write like them, because they can write and erase really easily.
But you would not believe the difficulty I'm having trying to find small chalkboards in the UK.
We don't seem to have them here anymore. I can see I'm going to have to make my own. *sigh*
Posted by: Sam | 06 March 2009 at 05:54 PM
awesome idea, jen! cannot wait to do this...as a matter of fact, i'm off to do it now! :)
Posted by: amber | 06 March 2009 at 07:10 PM
This seems like such a wonderful learning tool, and so simple to make. I'll be linking! Thanks for your great ideas!
Posted by: Chrissy | 06 March 2009 at 09:24 PM
Thank you for another great idea!!
Posted by: Kristi | 07 March 2009 at 12:11 PM
I use chalkboards to teach printing, the friction created by the chalk on the board really helps the child sense the shape of the letters. This is a great idea, with the name painted right on. I definitely agree with you about teaching children to print their names correctly from the start.
Posted by: Melva | 08 March 2009 at 10:16 PM
My kids are playing with their little chalk boards right now - inspired by you of course!!!
Posted by: exhale. return to center. | 09 March 2009 at 10:33 AM
I love this fabulous idea. Must get a board asap :0)
Posted by: RM | 10 March 2009 at 08:52 AM
Love this! I would have loved to give each child in my preschool class their own Name Slate when I was teaching - it's so old-timey but totally effective!
You're so right about kids wanting to write their own name all of the time - what I usually ended up doing was printing each child's name at the top of a sheet of paper; but having a Name Slate would save a lot of trees! And besides, it would be nice for a child to be able to grab her little slate whenever she liked rather than wait for teacher (or Mama) to print her name :)
Posted by: Laura G. | 11 March 2009 at 03:55 PM
Hi Jen! My fellow OT's caught me looking at your blog this morning and they absolutely love your ideas. I think I may use this idea with a few of my kids =)
Posted by: Elizabeth E. | 13 March 2009 at 03:13 PM
okay, so i finally got around to doing this last weekend & i love the result!! my daughter loves playing with it! :)
can't wait to see what you come up with next!!
Posted by: amber | 19 March 2009 at 08:28 AM
I have just discovered your blog and I am really fond of! I'am a french young futur mummy and i will have to wait more than 2 years before testing all these great idees!
Thanks a lot!
Posted by: Clo | 20 March 2009 at 11:52 AM
Just wanted to let you know about my photo challenge next week- would love to have you participate!
http://everythingexceptthegrill.blogspot.com/2009/03/my-life-in-pictures-new-photo-challenge.html
Posted by: amber d. | 23 March 2009 at 04:37 PM
I loved this so much I have linked to you on my blog. Thanx for the inspiration.
Posted by: Abby | 01 April 2009 at 06:33 PM
Can't wait to try this! I've been looking for ways to interest my 4 yr. old twins into writing their name...wish me luck :)
Posted by: 7onRoseHill | 01 July 2009 at 12:47 PM
Hello, I used this idea and blogged about it. I linked to your page if that is okay. Thanks for the great idea!
http://apgacruz.blogspot.com/2009/09/you-name-it.html
Posted by: www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawk8bw-Z99UgKkzhl5NWX68ilr-StzxeTTc | 08 September 2009 at 12:37 AM