Toothpick Letters

As the kids learn letters, I'm always looking for new ways to practice with sounds, letter formation, or just reviewing what they've learned. One of my daughter's favorite things for lunch is turkey or chicken, rolled up, and on a toothpick. (Basically she'll eat anything if it's on a toothpick.) As we sat eating lunch together and she emptied her toothpicks, she started creating shapes. It turned into a letter review and a great fine motor activity. We talked about why some letters can be made w/ toothpicks (straight lines) and how some need curves to make them correctly. So we went straight through the alphabet, trying each letter and making new discoveries. I also got the chance to see which letters she was having a harder time making and we got some extra fun practice in.
After our activity, I took out some index cards and drew the letters. Now we have a great independent practice activity for her to do while I prepare dinner or during another learning time.
*If toothpicks + preschoolers make you nervous, try other things, like straws, crayons....basically anything straight!