MSU Extension Child & Family Development

Infant and Toddler Activity Pages

Working with Magnetic Letters

Materials

• Metal cookie sheet
• Alphabet magnetic letters (large enough not to be a choking hazard for your child)

Area of School Readiness

Perceptual, Motor, and Physical Development: According to the Head Start Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center, perceptual, motor, and physical development includes motor development and health, safety and nutrition. This includes gross motor or large motor skills (like jumping, running, climbing) as well as fine motor or small muscle skills (like holding a fork or buttoning a coat). Health, safety, and nutrition includes skills for self-care (like brushing teeth), knowledge promoting healthy eating habits, and personal safety routines.

Purpose of the Activity

Gross Motor and Fine Motor Skills: Your child will practice using the muscles in their arms and hands to pick up and play with letters.

Initiative and Curiosity: Your child will practice exploring letters on a cookie sheet and figure out ways to get the letters to stick to the cookie sheet.

Instructions

1. Place a metal cookie sheet on the floor where your child is playing. Let your child explore the cookie sheet Put tape on small paper cups or small containers.
2. Give your child the magnetic letters and let them explore. They may want to touch them or put them in their mouth.
3. Show your child how they can put the letters on the cookie sheet and make them stick. Let your child try to stick letters on the cookie sheet or move around letters already on the cookie sheet.
4. As you are playing, talk about what you are doing, “You have the letter A!” “You are reaching for the letter I and pulling it to the bottom of the cookie sheet,” As you are playing, name the letters that you see so your child can start to learn the alphabet.