Time For Tots: The Letter A

Several years ago shortly before Lucas was supposed to start school, like most new moms I panicked wondering if he knew enough, if I had taught him enough.  Did he even know how to cut with scissors?  Would he be able to sit still and listen to his teacher?

And so Time for Tots Days began.

Once a week I planned a special lesson and activities for my kids; things where they could learn, have fun and help ease my fears of if he would be ready for school.   I did this all in the pre-pinterest days, so ideas weren't so readily available.  The kids loved these days and it was a goal to do at least one of these a month with Ryder before he goes to preschool.  Last Friday, on the last day of the month, we did it!  This time it was all about the letter A



A-Alligator
We began by making our A -Alligator. (original instructions here)
I cut out the letter A and then Ryder cut out the teeth.

At first we were cutting each individual triangle, but then switched to a row of connected triangles (definitely recommend this)
While he was cutting, we would chant, "A says ah and A" over and over again.

Alligator Lunch:
   I lay a bunch of random toys and things on the floor and then we brought the A-Alligator over for his lunch.  This alligator only eats things that start with A.  The rest of the things were thrown in the "garbage".

Apple Tree
  We came back to the table and Ryder painted apples on an Apple Tree.  I just printed a picture of a tree and he painted the red apples.
This was one of his favorite parts and he kept asking when he was going to be able to paint.

A-Ambulance
  While he was painting I cut out the little ambulances, (found on this website here) which he then glued to a letter A.

We read the Ambulance story, from the same A packet, I just printed the pages I wanted to use as it has a lot of ideas.   He loved the story and took it to his room as soon as we were done reading it.

He then sorted the Ambulances with the Big A and little A.

A-Tracing
  We finished with Ryder tracing the letter A.   I wrote a big A and little A with highlighter then he traced it with a pencil.  The letter written with highlighter seemed easier to trace than the standard dotted lines for tracing.

It ended up being such a wonderful time and Ryder immediately asked when we could do the letter B and then the letter C and so on.  When Eric got home, Ryder showed him the little ambulance book and all of the things he had made. I am so glad I stared this up again and will hopefully be doing this at least once a week.


Supplies:
  Scissors
  Glue Stick
  Green and White Construction paper
  Googly Eyes
  Toys or things from around the house that stat with various letters
  Picture of Apple Tree
  Red Paint
  Paint Brush
  A-Ambulance Activity Packet
  Paper
  Highlighter
  Pencil

To see past Time For Tots Days- click the tab up top, or click on the link here. 

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  I am linking this post up at the following crafting blogs