The OT Corner with Mrs. K

Before we jump into teaching letters, let’s talk about the foundation… pre-handwriting shapes! ✏️

In preschool, it’s so important to spend time drawing and mastering simple shapes before expecting children to form letters. These developmental progressions are general guidelines and averages—every child develops at their own pace—but they can give you a helpful roadmap for which shapes to introduce to toddlers and preschoolers.

Why does it matter? Because the strokes used to create lines, circles, crosses, and other basic shapes become the building blocks for letter formation later on. When children have confidence with these foundational shapes, learning letters becomes much easier.

So don’t skip the drawing stage! Keep it playful and fun. Draw with chalk, markers, paint, shaving cream, or on a vertical surface like an easel, wall, or window. Vertical surfaces are a great way to strengthen the shoulders, wrists, and hands while supporting the development of a strong handwriting grasp.

Remember, we’re building skills one step at a time. 💙

And as always, if you know a parent, teacher, or therapist who could benefit from this information, please share it with them!