Preschool Literacy Activities: Fun & Unique Ways to Bring Play into Your Classroom

Preschool literacy activities are about more than just the ABC’s. Of course, students learn letters, but they also learn writing skills, story retelling, beginning sounds, rhyming, and so much more. Children also develop fine motor skills, develop oral language skills, listening, cooperating, and develop a strong foundation of reading readiness.

Materials for Preschool Literacy Activities

While there are many different ways to stock a good preschool literacy center, start with the basics. As with every other center, you can build up your resources over time. Another thing to remember is that you can borrow lots of things from your other centers to mix things up!

• Magnetic Alphabet Letters and Cookie Sheets
• Alphabet Letter Cards
• Letter and Sound Picture Cards
• Magnetic Letter Builders
• Sand Trays
• Tracing Lines Practice Sheets
• Letter Games
• Alphabet Puzzles
• Alphabet Books

Writing Activities Materials

I consider the writing center to be an extension of your preschool literacy activities. As with the literacy center, I keep the writing center simple. I almost always have a variety of theme-based coloring sheets at the ready! Also, fine and broad-tipped markers and caddies filled with crayons keep those little hands busy! This is another center where you will want to start with the basics. Over time, your class will want to branch out…and so will you! Below is a list of things I like to rotate through my writing

• Markers
• Crayons
• Colored Pencils
• Stencils
• Stamps and Stamp Pads
• Coloring Sheets
• Envelopes
• Notepads
• Hole punch
• Letter Stampers

Print should be EVERYWHERE!

Because building a foundation for reading is so important in Preschool, make literacy a focus in your classroom! Children love to see letters at eye level. They also love to see their names in print! For that reason, you should label everything! Make sure they see their names on placemats, cubbies, coat hooks, and on your alphabet wall. Another great idea is to have a sign-in sheet at every center. Kids find their name and put a mark…they learn their name, you have an easy way to see who has been to each center!

Preschool Literacy Activities With Books

Children love books! Books have the ability to bring literacy into every center in your classroom. At the math center counting books and stories keep children engaged and focused. Similarly, you can bring books into the art center. Art is always a great tool for stretching a story and getting deeper into the text. The book Mouse Paint brings the science of mixing colors to life. One thing I know for sure is when I bring a book into any center, I will have their full attention!

Above all, be intentional with your teaching and planning. Always remember to bring as much literacy in as many ways as you can each day! As a result, you will create curious, inquiring students and lifelong learners!