iTrace
iTrace supports and rewards kids with the goal of learning letter formation. Over 30 levels of difficultly, extensive feedback, plus both structured and self-driven play is their equation for success. The app is designed so kids feel control, challenge and enjoyment while playing. Parents and teachers are treated to tons of customization and a simple design which makes it quick and easy to set up! Both adults and kids get instant feedback while playing in the settings. One of the best handwriting apps featured in KinderTown!
iWriteWords
iWriteWords makes writing numbers and letters fun! A beautiful and entertaining app that children can use long before they can handle a pencil makes this a great purchase. Lots of settings, 3 levels that grow with your child and small fun activities break up the tracing. Your child will enjoy the unique playback feature to watch how they made their letters and numbers. Gdiplus, the developer, has done a good job of updating and integrating user suggestions. This is a must-have app for learning to write numbers and letters!
Write My Name
Write My Name blends a variety of learning experiences together in one well-designed app. Children will be practicing writing while learning letter names, sight words and increasing their vocabulary. Start by tracing and writing your name. Move on to working on uppercase and lowercase letters where children hear the letter name and are guided through how to form each letter. Finally practice writing over 100 commonly used words and watch a quick animation that models the words meaning. Two tracing modes allow children to practice with the app making the lines or in fingerpaint mode to see their own work. Parents, go on the app first to set up your children’s names and read through the information pages.
LetterSchool
LetterSchool is another best app to add to your child’s collection of letter and number writing experiences. LetterSchool clearly introduces each letter, sound and numbers 1-9 with an additional 3 levels of interaction that supports your child from tracing over a line to forming the letter all on their own. A variety of animations keep the content fresh. The positive, motivational feedback encourages your child and will keep them wanting to use this app! Check out the lite version to try out some of the content for free.
Handwriting practice can get so repetitive. Tracing lines and letters can get boring for both parents and kids. Handwriting it much more than learning about forming shapes and lines. It is also building up the fine motor muscles of the arms and hands. Instead of focusing on the output of writing, you are getting two activities focused on building those key fine motor muscles.
Activity 1: Marshmallow Engineer
What You’ll Need:
• Mini Marshmallows
• Toothpicks
Leave out a bag of marshmallows and the toothpicks for your child. What will emerge are the most creative structures and buildings he or she can imagine! Using toothpicks for the structure and the marshmallows for the joints you can build just about anything. The smaller pincher grip the child needs to form letters is the same grip they will use with is activity. They will focus as they place the marshmallow onto the end of the small pointy toothpick. It is great for muscle building and coordination. Parents, you’ll want to get in on this activity. It is both tasty and a fun family challenge.
Activity 2: Feed Me!
What You’ll Need:
• Tennis ball
• Spoon
• Small objects like cereal that is easy to scoop
Take your tennis ball and cut a slit about 1/3 of the way across the middle. You are forming a large mouth for your child to feed, so create the slit at your child’s ability level. Draw some eyes on your tennis ball and give it a name. Prepare a bowl with a cereal, Rice Krispies works well. Have you child take a scoop of the cereal using the spoon. Squeeze the tennis ball so the mouth opens nice and wide. Now feed your friend all those yummy treats. As your child squeeze the tennis ball they are building lots of arm and hand muscles. The attention to detail necessary for the other hand to carefully take a scoop of cereal and make it to the mouth is also muscle and brain building.