What can we do for students who are struggling with letter recognition? In addition to targeted small groups and daily letter and sound practice, we can use a letter tracing book and letter tracing activities.
Letter Tracing Activities: What the research says
Finger tracing reduces cognitive load, which allows kids to learn more effectively
(https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2021/09/27/finger-tracing-enhances-learning–evidence-for-100-year-old-prac.html)
Tracing means kids are giving more attention to the letters so they’re increasing learning.
Repetition helps solidify neural pathways. This means repeated practice helps train the brain to process and retain information. (https://blog.reading.com/making-letter-recognition-stick/)
Letter Tracing Activities: Letter Tracing Book
Our go-to letter tracing activity is our Letter Tracing Flipchart!
This letter tracing book is done one-on-one and is meant to be done FAST. Students simply trace the letter with their finger while saying the letter’s name! 3-5 minutes is all it takes! You can do it during small group time or pull the students when you have an extra minute! I do it during breakfast in the classroom! When a student finished breakfast, they came to me and did their letter tracing!
This activity should only be done with students who know less than 40 letters and sounds. This is a targeted intervention and not meant to be done with every child.
Some other ideas that make sense: have an older student come down and do the activity with students, or have one of your students who has mastered letters and sounds help those who need extra support.
Our Tracing Flipchart also includes numbers and shapes for tracing!
The tracing flip chart is part of our TKS BOOTCAMP kit!
More Letter Tracing Activities
TRACING FREEBIE
