My previous blog ‘10 ways to learn to spell your name’ has been one of my most popular so thought I’d give you all 10 more ideas to try out. With many children and parents starting to think about September and the start of ‘big school’ or preschool, name recognition is an important skill to have. It helps children have the independence to look after their own belongings and find things like PE kits, water bottle, coat, peg etc. When Emilia first started to recognise her name, she had such pride and would constantly point out letter E’s out and about. Now we are trying to get her to learn her surname because I’m sure she will meet many other Emilias. All of these ideas can be changed up to help multi sensory spelling practise of any word that doesn’t require pen and paper. I use a range of upper and lower case letters mainly because of the different resources I have at home but I think it’s good to get children to recognise both letter types.

So here they are 10 ways to learn your name.

1. NAME RACE TRACK: This is always popular with the girls. I drew out large letters on some wrapping paper and masking taped it to the kitchen floor. I added a plate of paint for the cars to drive through and leave their marks. A mess free alternative is to do it with water instead of paint. 

2. NAME SOUP: A saucepan with letters and sensory rice to find the letters to spell out their name. I added disposable spoons with the letters on to help support the letter recognition.

3. NAME BEETLE DRIVE: A simple name puzzle made using coloured paper alongside a dice. Depending how long your child’s name is you may need two dice. Basically they roll the dice and find the matching piece. Great for number recognition and counting too.

4. LID CONNECT: We have collected a fair few of these lids over the last year with Ottilie having fruit on her breakfast so I wanted to use them up. I glued them onto card labelling them with letters from Emilia and Ottilie’s names. Using the rubber bands the letters can be connected up in order. This is great for fine motor skills using the pincher grip for the rubber bands. It can be used for spelling simple words too.

5. SENSORY BAGS: A simple sensory bag with added letters to move about is a quick but fun activity. I put a laminated copy of the name into the sandwich bag (just so it lasts) and then add shampoo/hair gel, glitter and plastic letters.

6. MAGIC PAINTING: Kids love this wax resist painting activity because they think it is magic. I wrote out the name using white crayon on different bits of paper so they can be ordered once revealed.

7. BUTTON NAME: A quick make using some buttons, felt and a glue gun. The wooden letters are from ‘The works’ and I use them a lot in different activities because they are lovely tactile size. The letters are attached to felt so it has to be ordered and buttoned on.

8. PRESENTS: What child doesn’t like unwrapping presents? Wrapping up letters of your child’s name makes it exciting for them to build it. Using large foam letters allows for plenty of opportunity to guess what letter it could be by feeling the presents before revealing.

9. NAME EGGS: Hiding things inside play dough is always popular with my girls so I made some fried eggs using play foam. Each one has a letter of their name in to be cracked out and put in order.

10. NAME SKITTLES: This is a simple way of repurposing a toy you already have and the children enjoy. I just used masking tape to label the wooden skittles and added Emilia’s name on card for matching. This is a simple activity that encourages ordering letters of their name and as they fall down encouraging them to say the letters.

Check out my Instagram page @myteachermummyandme for more ideas for learning and play with littlies!