All About Handwriting

[buds]

jazz:

Hi buds,

Waiting eagerly on yr picutres of the stencil books.

My apologies jazz darling... i missed your post. :oops:
I didn't have topic reply notification for this thread. Sollie..:salute:
I'll put it up for you in a while... Hopefully not too late.

jazz:

Sound interesting.

Yup, it IS interesting. My girls love their stencil books.
And cos stencil books are hardcover with board pages,
the books last long. A few publications have them in plastic
material as well. Can wipe with wet cloth / wipes after
drawing... especially if crayons were used.

jazz:

BTW, based on yr expertise, can give advise...u see, my girl coming to 3yrs...noticed she prefers hollow tracing ltrs then dots...is it common?

No expertise la. :oops:

Mebbe more to just experience?

To answer your question... not really common i suppose.
Dot to dot should be easier since the direction (of the dots)
are there for children to follow as compared to the more free
hand or freestyle hollow letter writing; which requires more grip,
independence (on the child's end) especially with the curves / curvy
letters or lines. So, i suppose your child may have a good and steady
pencil grip, jazz!

Younger children tend to hold crayons, pencils (etc) lightly and the colour /
lead ...(ie. print) ... does not really come out dark and clear... so you can
work towards that if your child doesn't already know how to do it.

Your child sounds like he/she is pretty good for a 3yr old. Hollow letter
writing pose more challenge to younger children due to the need to conform
to the needs of the outline of the letters or lines. Children who can write /
trace independently on hollow letters / lines and neatly too (without going
outta the line) are progressing well. You can use this skill to help them learn
how to write their name!

jazz:

She likes to trace stencil alphabets too hence eager to know where u got the stencil book n the cost? Tks!

Stencils help keep letterings and tracings in place. The only challenge
for younger children is they must learn to have a firm hold over the
stencils or the stencil books so that they do not move during tracing.

I'll provide you a link shortly on the books that i bought for my girls. :love:
Hope you'll like it.

[buds]

[Editor's note: Topic selected for http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/content/fun-stencil-books-children.]

My First Lettering Book

http://www.postimage.org/http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Tsg4POS http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gxo7WDi http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=PqMBNmA
http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=PqMBSlS http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aVA8yuS http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Tsg7Vn0

Clever lettering can turn ordinary words into extraordinary works of art!
It's all about using your imagination and experimenting, but most
importantly, it's about having fun. And it's so simple!

With the aid of the easy-to-use stencils and basic guidelines in this book,
you will be adding that little bit extra to your school projects, greeting cards,
posters, bookmarks and even your very own party invitations. There is really
no limit to the many ways you can use clever lettering.

My First Lettering Book includes:
• 6 alphabet stencils
• Cool lettering and fun pictures to trace
• Exciting projects to do
• Easy to follow step-by-step instructions

I bought this in a bookstore in a mall in Penang while we
were on our short family vacation. I wanted to buy a
lot more from the store but saved on it thinking there will
be other bookshops around! :stupid: I saw lotsa people
scooping up great deals on powder and liquid paint in big
jars going for only like RM11.00! DD1 was like 6+ years
old and i remember i got it for her birthday. 7th birthday
present. DD1 loves drawing, painting and all sorts of crafts.
She was ecstatic when i gave it to her. Both DD1 and DD2
had lotsa fun experimenting with the different stencils in the
book when we returned to the resort. Hubs and i had nice time
catching up on movies (HBO) from that evening onwards. :lol:
The girls were kept very occupied.

The book cost only RM16.90 before their so-call sale price! :!:
It's a STEAL awrite! :boogie:

I have not seen this in stores here but if you're interested,
you can consider getting it here on its online store.

They have many other various stencil books on this website! :love:
http://www.fivemile.com.au/books/childrens/stencil-books/lettering-books.html

LETTERING in crazy, cool, quirky style! By Klutz

http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=PqGO9di http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=PqGON7A

http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Ts9E2pJ http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gxhK9O0

Lettering in Crazy Cool Quirky Style is a tool kit for any kid who has ever
wanted to make chunky block letters, blobby balloon letters, swirly, curly
letters... whatever. A bound-on pouch holds the tools, like fine-tipped
markers, a mechanical pencil and a white eraser (on the outside chance any
mistakes get made). Best of all? Artist's pencils in 16 different shades turn
your words into distinctively colorful language. Use the included practice
paper to trace our illustrators' alphabets, or copy them freehand. Not simple
enough? We also threw in five plastic stencils — two complete alphabets plus
assorted extras — to act as super-stylish training wheels.

I purchased this stencil book during last two year's POPULAR sale @ Expo.
I think it was $15.00... The stencils are plastic for this one. I chanced upon
this same book @ Page One Vivo City. Or if you prefer... you can also buy
it online @ Amazon or Klutz. Click the blue links below to go to their sites.

> http://www.amazon.com/Lettering-Crazy-Quirky-Style-Klutz/dp/157054428X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276429161&sr=1-1

> http://www.klutz.com/art/how-to/Lettering?merch_location=Search%20Results

Both sites have many other stencil and creative lettering books as well. :rubhands:

Here is one old experiment DD1 did with her stencil book.

http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aVtL5CJ

[buds]

Hi jazz, i've finished uploading some samples from

the stencil books. Hope it helps somewhat in your
search for interesting lettering books for your
child.

[jazz]

Hi Buds,


Tks for taking the time to post the pictures. U do really hv good stuff for yr kids! The stencil book looks interesting but too bad not avail. here. Hmmm…my girl is the stubborn type. I bought various types of crayons, markers, pencil…she just refused to practise coloring or do maze though she has improved a little in her pencil grip. Somehow I learnt that some toddlers may dislike coloring due to their strength not strong enough to color and discover oil pastels crayons ease them to color in a smooth way as I went to a art ctr meant for kids and the teacher did mention oil pastel crayons are much easier for them. Is it true? And true enough as what u mentioned, stencil helps them too as this was what the art teacher told me.

How do you train yr kids to hv interest in coloring/writing? As for hollow letters, probably due to begining, I’ve bought kumon abc wipe-off card which is hollow letter and as well as she traced letters from the sandpaper. Hence she didn’t like the dotted lines. Actually I hv the same feeling as yrs as I prefer her to trace hollow letters than dotted but latter saw so many dotted lines activity letter books hence wasn’t sure if i shld encourage my girl to do dotted letters.

[buds]

jazz:

Hi Buds,


Tks for taking the time to post the pictures.

You're welcome. Hope you like them!

jazz:

U do really hv good stuff for yr kids!

Yes, i do! Plus a lot of stuff are bought from all over the place!
I love going into bookstores anywhere here and even during
our short family trips. It helps that my hubs now knows how
the stuff i bought have benefitted our girls. :love:

jazz:

The stencil book looks interesting but too bad not avail. here.

The second stencil book i featured IS available here! I chanced upon it @
Page One, Vivo City. They have a few spiral books just like the
stenciled one but with varying activities... like tea cup party.. felt craft
activities, (etc)! You can find a lot of fantastic finds at this store. It's so
heavenly in there... with the space and aesthetics and of course the
smell of books... aaah... i love that about bookstores.

jazz:

Hmmm.....my girl is the stubborn type.

Most children start out this way, jazz. You are definitely not alone. :hugs:
Mine were like that too. Sometimes i do feel it is much easier teaching
other people's children than my own. :politebleah: I've taught so many
children and they're so interested and highly receptive & engaging in
the activities we do, unlike mine - so resistant (when they first began).

jazz:

I bought various types of crayons, markers, pencil...she just refused to practise coloring or do maze though she has improved a little in her pencil grip. Somehow I learnt that some toddlers may dislike coloring due to their strength not strong enough to color and discover oil pastels crayons ease them to color in a smooth way as I went to a art ctr meant for kids and the teacher did mention oil pastel crayons are much easier for them. Is it true? And true enough as what u mentioned, stencil helps them too as this was what the art teacher told me.

1stly, KUDOS to you for persevering in your quest to interest your daughter.
:salute: Children take time to learn things. Adults sometimes forget that as
adults, we have many experiences to fall back on (that's why it's easy for us)
unlike children who are just first time trying out stuff.

Your daughter sounds like my DD2. Dislike colouring & if you force her, OMG!
You feel like pulling hair outta your head! She will purposely annoy you if
she feels she is forced to do it. So yup, like you i went for markers, oil
pastels, paint too! It became more messy of course.. :roll: But it did help.
Also, i find instead on harping at her about colouring, i started to interest
her in other colour related stuff like doing crafts, ie. sand art, pottery,
origami, junk art (etc). Through the many activities, i realized she wasn't
really interested in art at all so i had to be more patient with her if i were
to gradually still get her more inclined to art & craft work. DD1 on the other
hand has superb artistic skills.

Yes, stencils do help a bit in a way. After i bought for DD1's birthday,
i began to observe that DD2 was keen to work on her jie-jie's stencil book..
so that's when i saw the last one @ a POPULAR EXPO SALE, i grabbed it
instantly. :lol:

jazz:

How do you train yr kids to hv interest in coloring/writing?

There are many pre-writing activities that be done with children. Pre-writing
does not have to be actual writing activities. They are activities that indirectly
interest children to write, colour and draw.

For example, you can try sponge painting... with big pegs. Cut a small
piece of sponge and peg it. Ask your daughter to dip into different coloured
paint and trace hollow letters. If she finishes her task, she can be allowed to
sponge paint anything on a large drawing paper.

Another example is playing with play dough. Say you're working with food
shapes. Like these...

*Alamak* : Problem uploading... will try uploading again later. :oops:

Say making cakes, pizza or egg like shapes with play dough... following
that... ask her to make a long thin roll and make corresponding letter
shapes that makes the first sound in those food shapes. ie. a letter 'e'
to put beside the egg shape... a shaped letter 'p' to match the pizza.. (etc)

When you're at the beach, you can use sticks or straws to make letter
shapes in wet sand. Bring the activity back too if you want. Save some
sand in a bag. Put it in a sand box or a container. Add some water and
you can replicate the beach activity in the comfort of your home.

Finally, there's this activity i like : lacing + sorting. These two activities
help strengthen young children's finger muscles needed for future writing.
There are many lacing cards and wooden templates available in Toys R Us.

Children can sort from marbles, to rubber balls to actual fruits... according
to colour. Then they can slowly move up to sorting stamps cos they're more
challenging due to the flat shape. Use of tongs and chopsticks for sorting also
help with refining the pincer grip. You can read here for the chopstick activity.
> http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3607&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

jazz:

As for hollow letters, probably due to begining, I've bought kumon abc wipe-off card which is hollow letter and as well as she traced letters from the sandpaper. Hence she didn't like the dotted lines. Actually I hv the same feeling as yrs as I prefer her to trace hollow letters than dotted but latter saw so many dotted lines activity letter books hence wasn't sure if i shld encourage my girl to do dotted letters.

I purchase dot to dot books on top of doing wipe off cards and sandpaper
tracing.. just like how you did! :love: It helps that we can vary the activities
for our children to ensure they have fun activity variations to keep them
occupied and interested in what they do, be it pre-writing, colouring or even
reading.

If you're interested Borders sell those magic page books where children can
colour on pages just using water too! Folding paper, cutting activities, cutting
a banana with plastic knife are some other activities you can do with your
daughter as well. Gosh, the possibilities are endless and at times it may not
have to make a hole in your pocket. Many household items can be used for
everyday learning! Have fun!

[jazz]

Hi Buds,


Wow! I really love to read yr forum/response much as u truely give much good suggestions/ideas than suggested! :udawoman:

I will go to Pageone store n hv a look. Any idea what is the cost? Though i prefers the other one.

[buds]

Hehee.. I'm long winded lar. :oops:

The first book is more kiddie less funky as
compared to the second one. I like the
1st one too! I bought either for $12 or
for $15... cannot remember.

Oh yes, by the way... these beautiful stencils
also come in numbers. I chanced upon these
in POPULAR. So far these three POPULAR
outlets i've been too; carry this number
stencil. Cannot remember the price tho.

The 3 outlets are : Causeway Point, Tiong Bahru
Plaza and Bishan (Junction 8).

Here's the pic of the box. Happy shopping, jazz! :love:

http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=PqR0uBA

http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=PqR0R2S

http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=PqR12wA

[buds]

Hahaa! Guess i knew i was going to forget

how much it cost. :slapshead: Now i realize
i took the picture of the price at the
back of the box. Duh!

So, it's SGD $21.90 for the number stencils, guys!

[Littlefly]

Seeking inputs here, just wondering based on experience, would the stencils be good practice for a 2yr+ to learn how to write alphabets ?


My dd childcare teachers have told me repeatedly to work on his fine motor skills as he is the only one lacking behind in writing skills for his Pre-Nursery/Nursey class.

Is is common for 3yr old to be able to trace letters already ? My dd only keen to write Os and scribble now.

[buds]

Littlefly:

Seeking inputs here, just wondering based on experience, would the stencils be good practice for a 2yr+ to learn how to write alphabets ?

Broad ones as featured in the two stencil books, i guess not.
Narrow ones that requires only a single line tracing... perhaps it might.
Cos the broad templates makes hollow letters. Children can colour in it
and also trace rainbow letters in it. For kids that young, their hands are
also not too steady to hold the stencil template or stencil page firmly on
paper. Will definitely need an adult to help.

Littlefly:

My dd childcare teachers have told me repeatedly to work on his fine motor skills as he is the only one lacking behind in writing skills for his Pre-Nursery/Nursey class.

More details if you may? :please: Cannot trace dot to dot? Cannot trace in
hollow letters? Cannot write on a line? Many things can fall under fine motor
skills including colouring, folding and craft work ie. cutting with scissors (etc).

Littlefly:

Is is common for 3yr old to be able to trace letters already ? My dd only keen to write Os and scribble now.

Not necessarily. Depends on how much time the child has spent over
those 3 growing years being exposed to print and also the frequency
of print-rich activities being done with the child. Some children have
good pincer grip even at 18mths from being able to feed themselves
independently (cos holding a spoon helps with pincer grip too) and a
few others may have developed better fine motor skills from working
with knobbed puzzles, lacing activities and stringing beads and stuff...
It depends on the individual child's learning environment.