Boys games to encourage interest in writing/numbers

[xmasadsboohiss]

My DS is just about to turn four and will start school in September. He's bright and loves books but am finding it tricky to engage in recognising letters and numbers - and there's no hope of getting him interested in writing anything! Does anyone have suggestions of games or educational toys that could help us give him a nudge? He loves pirates and firemen and paramedics stuff. Thanks

[teacherlikesapples]

Reluctant writers can quickly become fans of writing if the emphasis shifts from 'getting it correct' to just experimenting & having fun, while they learn something really interesting & important to them (not just you). Once they have built up awareness, interest, confidence & skill then you can start correcting. To do it before hand makes it quite daunting.

I would recommend looking for short teachable moments, that are meaningful and interesting to him.
Role play is brilliant- make a paramedics role play kit.Toy phone & medical equipment, Little a5 clipboard & pencil case, little 'medical charts' and notebooks to write down symptoms, prescriptions, directions to the patient etc... Get involved in the game & look for opportunities. e.g Oh! The phone is ringing, I wonder who it is. It;s an emergency! What is the address?? Bob can you write down the address- they need a paramedic! (whatever marks he makes is fine, it is about showing writing has a function)

Does he like baking/cooking- make shopping lists together, 1 notepad each (you role model correct pencil grip "this is how I hold my pencil" -don't correct him, just show him how you do it. This applies to letter formation to. e.g "I draw my L's (always use phonic letter sound not name) by starting at the top then down & across" Don't write all in capitals, and try and print or write in precursive. Let him find the items in the supermarket using the list- e.g Can you find 4 big apples, 3 red peppers, the bag of flour that has 250 on it. Look at the recipe together. Prepare & share the snack- let's cut this cake in half, quarters, 10 pieces. How many pieces will we need to give everyone in the house one? How many cupcakes will we need to make to share at playgroup?

For other role play ideas- make pirate maps, number hunts (then go around your neighbourhood looking for those numbers on letterboxes, signs. Tick them off in your notebook.

Also mark making where he can just experiment & not worry about how it looks is ideal- so whiteboards, chalkboards, fingerpainting, messy play, sand/glitter in a tray, water & a paint brush outside.

Let him see you writing often and try & role model how you make mistakes and don't worry about them.

Hope this has been helpful :)