Toddlers Activities

We got the “magic erase” books. The pen ink dries and erases. It’s helped our 4y old work on letters, numbers, math, etc.

And our 2.5y old the same.

Is 2 not a bit young? It should just be for fun at that age?

I wouldn't be expecting a 2 yo to be able to write letters at all.

Developmentally at this age the expectation is they start to make marks and maybe tell you what they are.

I'd take the pressure off and it'll come naturally.

My son just turned 4 and still can't even grasp a marker "correctly"

You could be accidentally fostering a dislike for writing if she feels forced or can vibe your frustration. Go easy on yourself. This is not a milestone that needs to be rushed and she is in no way behind.

This is a really helpful video about how to gauge their readiness to learn written letters based on their overall drawing abilities.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMeDrvOSfvi/?igsh=b2RzOGFlOHg2NXI3

At 2.5 draw shapes, lines, do matching games where they join lines to connect things.
If you force her to do something she is physically not ready for she's going to give up! Just have fun with her

seems a bit young to worry about that although it’s not a bad idea to practice saying the ABCs and recognizing letters I suppose.

I just get her tracing books and she loves them. For a long time she just scribbled all over the letter to colour it in. When she asks me to do it I show her the proper way but I don't make her do it. She just eventually started practicing tracing the letter, but she goes back to scribbling and I don't make a thing of it. As she's learning her letters sounds she's gradually learning there's meaning behind these and she'll want to do it properly more. I create a little incentive when it comes to Santa's letter and any birthday cards we write for cousins, grandparents etc. I show her how to write their name as well as her own just to remind her there's meaning and incentive to learning

I really wouldn’t worry about it or force it. At that age I would give them the materials and let them do whatever they want to with it. My daughter liked to paint on her easel or we had jumbo chalks and let her scribble on the yard. It’s all just practice, drawing actual pictures or writing letters will come naturally.

My son only started learning how to write his name in kindergarten this school year. My 4 year old daughter doesn’t know how to yet, but she likes to try.

Mine is 2 and a half and still likes coloring. He has not written any letters yet.

Great that she is interested in writing !

Mark making at that age is great !

Focus lots on hand dexterity activities to strengthen their hands. That will help with grip in the long run. Forming them with playdough, threading big pasta or necklaces , dough disco , usinv big tweezers

If she's doing other stuff with the pens, personally, I'd follow her lead - have her draw round her hands or her body on big paper or just let her go mad with them making marks and shapes on big paper or on an easel. Capture her interest and the rest will follow and become easier as time goes on


Letter recognition through games rather than just writing the words.

My son is 3.5 . He can recognise his name and the letters and can trace iver letters to write his name (somewhat). He can't write it independently from scratch.
He also doesn't go to school though until September 2027 so we are focusing on really building the foundation block of learning.