When it comes to writing, I begin by teaching children letter formation without a pencil or pen. Instead, we do themed activities just like this pre-writing alphabet practice with conversation hearts. Candy hearts are so fun to play with that I always make new games with them each year. And the great part about picking up candy hearts is that it is helping children develop the exact same muscles they will need to properly hold a pencil once the time comes.
For the record, children who already write will love this activity too.
The great part about this activity is that you can do it over and over each month, but by simply swapping out the candy hearts with something else, it seems fresh and new. Take a peek at how I do it in the fall.
The prep for this is so minimal if you already have the materials, which makes it easy to whip up on any busy day. If you don’t have the wooden letters that I have, you can just write the letters on a surface (I explain more below) or use alphabet cards!
Materials:
- Conversation Candy Hearts
- Trace and write letters
If you don’t have the trace and write letters, you can still accomplish the same idea with a board and chalk markers. Just use a chalkboard, dry-erase board, or a mirror and write the letters with a chalk marker.
I like to set the letters out and put the conversation hearts in an inviting container next to it. It won’t take long before it will become a well-loved activity! Here are some of the ways we use them:
- Spelling names
- Identifying letters
- Letter formation
- Patterns
- And for a sweet snack
Now here are 20 more awesome activities to do for Valentine’s Day!
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:
Printable Valentine’s Day Dice Games // Fun-A-Day
FREE Number Bingo // The STEM Laboratory
Pre-Writing Alphabet Practice with Conversation Hearts // Preschool Inspirations
Heart Match Up Activity // Frogs, Snails and Puppy Dog Tails
Counting Roses // Best Toys 4 Toddlers
Conversation Heart Counting Cards // Life Over C’s
Love Bug Clock // Fairy Poppins
Counting Heart Cake Toppers // Adventures of Adam
Heart Wreath // Powerful Mothering
Magic Heart Sight Words // Playdough to Plato
Simple Suspended Conversation Heart Discovery Bottle // Lemon Lime Adventures
Valentine Numbers and Counting Hearts // Play and Learn Everyday
Valentine Math: Portable Ten Frame with Hearts // Lalymom
Teach Buttoning Skills with Heart Buttons // Sugar Aunts
Free Valentine’s Day Addition Memory Game // DIY Farm Wife
Hearts Pom Pom Game // Teach Me Mommy
I Spy Valentine’s Day Heart Bottle // The Pleasantest Thing
Color Sorting Hearts // Modern Preschool
Candy Heart Addition Cards // The Kindergarten Connection
We Go Together Like PB&J Homemade Game // Study at Home Mama
Valentine’s Day CVC Board Game // Liz’s Early Learning Spot
Katie T. Christiansen
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