One of the first words a preschooler often learns is his or her own name.
This is the reason why labeling items, using name puzzles and other name recognition activities are so important for your 3 to 5 year old.
Personalised name puzzle
Hamish recieved this beautiful name puzzle from Lily James clothing
The quality is stunning. The brightly painted pieces fit easily in and out the puzzle and the little handles are secure in each piece.
He was so excited to try it out, loving the dinosaur character next to his name.
10 creative ways to play with your name puzzle
1. Build the puzzle
Start by showing your child each letter. Unpack the letters from left to right above the puzzle and let your child place each piece back in the same order. By using a left to right motion you are preparing them for for reading.
2. Stencils
Use a piece of paper and some pencils, let your child hold down onto the peg and trace around the letter.
3. Playdough
Allow your child to print the letters into some playdough. It’s best to try the dough first, as some handmade brands seem to be too sticky so you may want to stay with a well known brand like playdoh in order not to get the puzzle pieces dirty.
4. Sensory play
Use a sensory tray with pasta, beans, waterbeads or coloured rice and hide the letters in. We used a soup mix of lentils.
Have your child remove each piece and place it in the correct space.
5. Letter suprises
Wrap the letters in foil or gift wrap and let your child unwrap each piece before placing them into the puzzle.
6. Letter hunt
Hide the letters to your childs name in a room, give them a piece of card with each letter written on and let them go find the letters before building the puzzle.
7. Blindfold
If your child already knows the letters to their name, blindfold them and give them each letter to feel and name.
8. Letter find
Let your child choose one letter at a time and find a matching letter in the home/ classrroom. Once they find the letter, they can place it in the puzzle and go to the next letter.
9. Gross motor game
For this lay out the letters to your child’s name. Start with the first letter and let them hop until the next letter, then as they collect te next letter they change the activity to crawlong, ect until they have collected each letter of their name.
10. Letter and spoon race
Place all the letters to your childs name in a bowl. Give them a spoon and have them transfer the letter on the spoon to the puzzle. Continue until it is built.
Most importantly have fun 💞
