When young children are learning to write, schools normally follow a synthetic phonics approach. Before this happens and as an approach to supporting children with an interest in letters, there are many multi-sensory activities which can help children recognise the letter, its sound and how to form it. Remember, children need to be developmentally ready and keen to undertake this activity.

One opportunity is when any children are fascinated by the letters and sounds which make up their name.  Some may need a letter to copy but others will know this from memory. Always be aware of and follow any agreed approach to forming a letter and practitioners and educators should ensure they model pronouncing both its name and sound accurately.

At the Skogsmulle International training course back in 2011, this activity was given to the participants. It gave me a lovely opportunity to illustrate this method, which I’ve used with classes in the past. I think it is a nice activity for starting back at school after the summer and to help children acclimatise to learning outdoors using materials around them.

Here we are getting going…

Sara’s name is made with stones as they start with the same letter as her name…

Lena had the same idea with leaves…

Pauline wanted to make her letter pretty!

I wanted my letter to lookout over the lake…

Trisha’s letter is made from twigs, with additional greenery…

And Caroline found a twig that naturally curved to make her initial letter…

If you have other ideas or activities for introducing letters outside, please do share them.