Hot Glue Name Recognition and Writing Activity

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Mastering name recognition and writing names stands as crucial skills for preschoolers. The ability to recognize their own name is of utmost importance in a preschool setting, which is why we like to offer many different hands-on and tactile name learning activities.

As just one way to achieve this goal, try out these preschool name tracing plates using hot glue.

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We’re diving into a fascinating topic that’s all about our little ones: name recognition and writing for preschoolers.

You know, that magical moment when they light up at the sight of their own name? It’s like a little spark of self-discovery.

But there’s more to it than just a smile – name recognition sets the stage for early literacy skills and boosts their confidence.

Through playful interactions, children not only grasp the concept of name recognition but also cultivate a positive attitude towards learning. That’s where these name recognition hot glue names come in handy.

They are tactile, visual, and personal for preschoolers.

They are just one more tool to pair along with my Editable Name Spelling Sheets.

Tracing Names

We’ve taken the worksheet out of tracing names with these hot glue name plates. The glue creates a raised texture for the preschoolers to trace their fingers along as they write their names.

Through hands-on experiences, name activities like these create a multisensory connection that helps bridge the gap between letters and the real world.

A tactile approach to teaching also taps into different learning styles, accommodating various ways children absorb information.

What we know for sure is that if children can also do what they learn, they will learn more deeply. So it makes sense that we would take that same approach with learning to recognize our names, too.

Name Cards for Preschool

I like to give these to my preschoolers during the first week of school. They practice tracing their names a couple of times each morning before we gather for circle time.

Materials

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How to Make the Name Plates for Tracing Activities

Making hot glue names couldn’t be easier. It does take a little bit of time, for drying of the paint during different stages, but it is easy.

  1. Begin by cutting the cardboard down to size – about 6×8 inches.
  2. Paint the cardboard your color of choice, but keep it a pastel color.
    • I did two layers, but really no paint is necessary. It is only to make the cardboard more appealing.
  3. Once the paint is dry, write your child’s name with a pencil.
    • Make each letter big and leave extra space between each letter. This way the hot glue from each letter will not touch each other.
  4. Trace over the pencil with a thick permanent marker.
    • This will make the name easier to see once the letters are covered in hot glue. Make it a little more fun by using a fun, but dark color, like purple or blue.
  5. Finally, very carefully, write over the marker with the hot glue.
    • Apply even pressure to the glue gun trigger.
    • Don’t let the nozzle touch the cardboard, but you want to let the hot glue drip in a string from the gun. This is exactly like writing with frosting on a cake. Just keep steady and go slow.
  6. Allow to dry.
Letter Tile Names – a Name Recognition Activity

How to Teach Toddlers to Write Their Names

Pencil to paper name tracing is too complex for toddlers. Most toddler do not have the fine motor skills to properly form letters. So, these hot glue name plates are an excellent alternative.

Toddlers can practice using their fingers to trace their names in preschool name cards. Another fun activity is to use playdough for name recognition.

Ways to Write Names in Preschool

We made these in traditional name case, with the first letter being upper case and the remaining letters lower case, but you could make them all upper case as well. Some teachers like to begin teaching name writing by using upper case letters because they tend to be easier for preschoolers to write.

Additionally, instead of using hot glue, you can try some of these ideas that will offer the same tactile effect:

No matter what you choose, your preschoolers and toddlers will love tracing their names with their fingers and feeling the unique texture beneath.

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How to Teach Name Spelling

Once completely dry invite your child to practice her name by tracing it. The texture of the glue is raised enough to give your child a definite feel for the shape and contour of the letters in her name.

Encourage your preschooler or toddler to say each letter out loud while tracing. This helps with memorization of the rote name spelling.

Once your preschooler starts to associate the letter names with the letter shape, she will be able to identify if her name is spelled correctly. She will also be able to differentiate her name from her classmates’ names.

Name Recognition and Writing Activities

If you liked this activity, be sure to check out these other name recognition activities. They are some of our favorites!

Hot Glue Name Recognition and Writing Acitvity

Hot Glue Name Recognition and Writing Acitvity

Prep Time: 45 minutes
Active Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: easy

Mastering name recognition and writing is important in the preschool years. And, what better way to learn one's name than with some tactile fun? Offering a variety of hands-on and tactile name learning activities will be your secret to success for teaching name recognition. An added bonus is that you will get to see your preschoolers' little faces light up with joy when they start to recognize their name around the classroom and at home!

Materials

  • corrugated cardboard or foam board
  • acrylic paint (a lighter color is best)
  • foam paint brush
  • pencil
  • permanent marker
  • hot glue sticks
  • hot glue gun

Instructions

  1. Begin by cutting the cardboard down to size – about 6×8 inches.
  2. Paint the cardboard your color of choice (pastel color)
  3. Once the paint is dry, write the child's name with a pencil. The letters should be big and have plenty of space between them (you don't want the hot glue to run into neighboring letters).
  4. Trace over the pencil with a thick permanent marker (allows for better visibility once the letters are covered in hot glue)
  5. Finally, use the hot glue gun to carefully write over the marker.
  6. Allow the hot glue to dry completely before use.
  7. Let your preschoolers practice, practice, practice! This can be a fun part of your daily routine!

    Notes

    Tips for writing the letters with the hot glue gun:

    1. Do your best to apply even pressure to the glue gun trigger.
    2. Don’t let the nozzle touch the cardboard. Just get close and let the hot glue drip in a string from the gun.
    3. This is exactly like writing with frosting on a cake. Keep steady and go slow.

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    © Sarah Punkoney, MAT