Word Tracing

A few weeks ago I added a set of Melissa & Doug letter magnets to our fridge. Since then, the kids have spent lots of time spelling words on the fridge, arranging them by color, all sorts of activities.  This week we took all of the letters off of the fridge and the kids spelled words at the table.  

I think it was Lily's idea to try to use her crayons with the letters.  I showed her how she could make a rubbing of the letter, but it was hard to hold them in place.  Then I suggested that she trace around the letters.  She spelled out some words, and traced them.  This was the look on her face when she saw that she could read the words she had "written": 

Happy girl!  I know we will be doing a lot with this activity in the future.  It takes the kids beyond their ability to write letters, which is still somewhat limited.  Having a way to preserve the words they can spell obviously brought a lot of delight!  You can't beat that. :)