Updated: Nov 25, 2021
Children in reception will be learning to:
Read individual letters by saying the sounds for them. (Literacy)
Develop their small motor skills so that they can use a range of tools competently, safely and confidently. Suggested tools: pencils for drawing and writing, paintbrushes, scissors, knives, forks and spoons. (Physical Development)
Pot of coins
Magnetic Fishing Rods/Magnet/Spoon
Flashcards/pieces of paper with letters m written on it
Tray filled with water - I used the storage box from our Phonics Box
Towel
Tell your child that you have some money. What sound does money start with? mmmm. Explain that sometimes people like to throw money into water and make a wish. Take it in turns to pick a coin, make a wish and throw it into the water. Put the tray off water on a towel to catch any spills.
You could start to explore their hope and wishes for school. Is there a toy they really hope will be in their new classroom? Would they love to ride their scooter to school?
Top Tip - Put the pot coins on the left hand side. If they are right handed, this will encourage them to reach across their body which will help when they start to write. At this age children might use both hands still. It will also gets them used to working from left to right which is the direction they will write in.
Once we made our wishes we decided to catch them and post them in Benji's money box to help them come true. We used a magnetic fishing rod from a game but you could try to scoop them out with a spoon if you don't have one.
We dried the coins on the towel then posted them into the money box. I stuck the m flashcard to the front of the moneybox with blu tac and we said the m sound every time we put a coin in.
Hand-eye Co-ordination - The children need to look carefully as they move the fishing rod to catch the coins. This skill will help them as they use their pencil to write letters.
Pincer Grip - they will pick up the coins using their thumb and index finger. This will help to develop the grip needed to hold their pencil effectively.
In-hand Manipulation - Encourage your child to pick up more than one coin using the same hand. They will store the coins in their palm and then move them to their fingers one at a time. This skill will help children to pick up a pencil and position it in their hand so that it is ready to write with.
If you have a go at this activity and share any photos on social media I would love to see them. Please tag @miniwritersclub and let me know how you get on.
Anna
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