Using Sandpaper Letters

Supplies:

Sand paper letters (they are often pricey, so if you don't want to purchase them, you can make your own)

Directions:

1. Choose three letters to start with.  I started using the sandpaper letters s, m, t. They’re good letters to start with because they’re used so often in the English language. Bring the letters to a table or a rug on the floor. Have your child sit beside you.

First Period: Introduction (“This is”)

2. Trace the letter “s” using the index and middle fingers of your right hand while making the “s” phonetic sound.

3. Invite your child to trace “s”.

4. Do the same with the letter “m” and then the letter “t”.

Second Period: Association – Recognition (“Show me”)

5. Say, “Show me “s”. Show me “t”, etc. (Note: Always use the phonetic sound, not the letter name when introducing the sandpaper letters.)

6. “Trace “s”. Trace “t”, etc.

Third Period: Recall (“What is this?”)

Only go to the third period when you know your child will be successful.

7. Put a letter in front of your child and say: “Can you trace this and tell me what it is?” You could also say, “What is this?” Continue with the other letters in the same way.

Here’s a video from InfoMontessori.com on how to use the three-period lesson to introduce sandpaper letters.