Sensory Name Recognition Lesson Plan for Preschoolers | Pre-Writing Activity

Boost early literacy with this engaging, multi-sensory lesson plan for teaching name recognition to preschoolers. This activity guide uses fun materials like Play-Doh and a sensory tray to develop pre-writing skills, letter formation, and fine motor control. Perfect for Pre-K classrooms and homeschooling.

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Lesson Plan: Laurie's Awesome Name Adventure!

Materials Needed

  • Large sheet of paper or poster board
  • Thick, colorful markers or crayons
  • A shallow tray (like a baking sheet)
  • Sensory material for the tray (e.g., salt, sand, sprinkles, or shaving cream)
  • Play-Doh in various colors
  • Index cards
  • Optional: Dot stickers, glue, and glitter

Subject: Pre-Writing / Early Literacy

Grade Level: Pre-K (Age 4)

Time Allotment: 25-30 minutes

1. Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, Laurie will be able to:

  • Recognize the individual letters that make up her name: L-A-U-R-I-E.
  • Verbally identify at least two letters in her name when prompted.
  • Attempt to trace or form the letters of her name using various sensory materials.

2. Alignment with Standards (Early Learning Framework)

  • Literacy: Recognizes that print has meaning; Develops understanding of letters; Associates letters with sounds.
  • Fine Motor Skills: Develops hand-eye coordination; Uses fingers and hands to manipulate objects (Play-Doh, crayons).
  • Cognitive Development: Demonstrates problem-solving and critical thinking through hands-on exploration.

3. Instructional Strategies & Lesson Procedure

Part 1: The Name Song Warm-Up (5 minutes)

Goal: To build excitement and practice letter recognition.

  1. Write Laurie's name in large, clear letters on the poster board. Point to each letter as you say it aloud slowly: "L... A... U... R... I... E. That spells LAURIE!"
  2. Sing a simple song to the tune of "B-I-N-G-O." Clap for each letter:
    There is a girl I know and Laurie is her name-o!
    L-A-U-R-I-E!
    L-A-U-R-I-E!
    L-A-U-R-I-E!
    And Laurie is her name-o!
  3. Repeat the song two or three times, encouraging Laurie to sing and clap along. Ask her, "Can you find the letter 'L'?" or "What letter is this?" (pointing to the 'A').

Part 2: Multi-Sensory Name Building (15 minutes)

Goal: To engage tactile senses to help "feel" the shape of each letter, promoting muscle memory without the pressure of holding a pencil correctly.

  1. Play-Doh Letters:
    • Give Laurie several colors of Play-Doh.
    • Say, "Let's build your name! First, we need to make a big line down and a little line across for the letter 'L'."
    • Guide her to roll the Play-Doh into "snakes" and form each letter of her name, using the poster board name as a guide. Celebrate each letter she completes.
  2. Sensory Tray Tracing:
    • Pour a thin layer of salt (or other sensory material) into the shallow tray.
    • Show Laurie how to use her finger to "write" the first letter of her name, 'L', in the salt. Say the letter name as you trace it.
    • Let her try. Gently guide her hand if needed. After each letter, give the tray a little shake to "erase" it and get ready for the next one. Focus on the process, not perfection.

Part 3: Name Art Masterpiece (5-10 minutes)

Goal: To apply learning in a creative, fun way and create a tangible product she can be proud of.

  1. Take the large poster board with her name written on it.
  2. Say, "Now you get to decorate your beautiful name!"
  3. Provide different materials for her to trace the letters. She can:
    • Place dot stickers along the lines of each letter.
    • Trace over the letters with glue and then sprinkle on glitter.
    • Simply trace the letters with her favorite color crayon or marker.
  4. Hang the finished masterpiece somewhere prominent!

4. Engagement and Motivation

  • Personalization: The entire lesson is centered around her own name, which is highly motivating for young children.
  • Play-Based Learning: Using Play-Doh, salt, and art supplies feels like play, not work.
  • Positive Reinforcement: Frequent praise ("What a fantastic 'A' you made!") keeps her engaged and builds confidence.

5. Differentiation and Inclusivity

  • For Extra Support: If Laurie is struggling, focus only on the first letter of her name ('L'). Master recognizing and forming that one letter before moving on. You can also provide pre-made "starter" shapes with Play-Doh for her to connect.
  • For an Extra Challenge: If Laurie masters her first name quickly, introduce the letters of her last name. Or, write the letters on index cards and have her put them in the correct order to spell her name before she builds them.

6. Assessment Methods

This is an informal, observation-based assessment.

  • Formative (During the lesson):
    • Observe if Laurie can point to a specific letter when asked.
    • Listen to see if she joins in on the name song.
    • Watch her hands as she manipulates the Play-Doh and traces in the salt tray. Is she attempting to mimic the letter shapes?
  • Summative (End of lesson):
    • The "Name Art Masterpiece" serves as a summative artifact. It shows her ability to trace or follow the lines of the letters in her name.
    • Ask her to "read" her name on the finished artwork, pointing to the letters.
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