Walking Pens

This fun activity will use your imagination to take you on an adventure whilst developing writing skills.

You Will Need:

A large piece of paper
A felt tip pen or pencil

Doing The Activity

Place the large piece of paper on a flat surface – this could be a table or even the floor depending on the size of the paper.
Set the scene for your little one by asking for their help to take the pen on a walk.
Place the pen on the paper and then ask directive questions such as: Should the pen go up or down?
Move the pen in the direction that they have said and then ask another question similar to the first introducing direction terms.
Continue with the activity until you have drawn a picture or created a masterpiece.

How this develops early writing skills:

Children need to see adults engaging in genuine writing to be inspired to write and see that writing has a purpose that carries meaning. This helps your child develop skills and confidence in forming and connecting the curves, vertical, horizontal and zigzag lines that form the base of letter shapes. Starting big then gradually working down to smaller develops as your child’s hand and eye co-ordination skills and manual dexterity skills.

This activity also supports in recognising directional words such as forwards, backwards, round and round and then what that means when trying to copy it.

Top Tip

Why not vary this by pretending the pen is an animal going on a walk. "The animal walks along the road slowly then he comes to a tree. What should he do, should he go around the tree orgo backwards"? Ask your little one to tell you how the animal should move. Why not ask your little one to take the pen and take directions from you?