Learning Outcomes: Literacy development

Expected set up time: 5 minutes

You’ll need

• Box- we used a pizza box, no folds are best
• Corn flour
• Markers
• Flash cards (optional) – Print Magic Letter Tray Flash Cards Download and Alphabet Flash Cards here.

You can download and listen to our Twinkle Twinkle/ABC.mp3 while you play with your trays!

(Click on the link to listen to the song, then right click on the player and “save” the file to your computer.)

How to:

Easy but messy! Have them color a box (with a smooth bottom) all different colors. Spread corn flour to cover the bottom of the box. Use homemade flash cards to help the child (or children!) understand what you want them to draw. Use this time to practice letters or if they are younger, practice squiggle lines and drawing lines. This will help them to start writing letters.

Think about this

Literacy skills are developed while children are scribbling and drawing simple lines and shapes. Look at the letters of the alphabet and break down the shapes that are used to create the letters and practice drawing these shapes with your child.

Once you see your child’s focus or attention switching off, try to change up the activity by adding a new element or challenging them in a different way to refocus them. Remember to take that moment!