Using Dry Erase Board Activities with Preschoolers

Inside: Put together a variety of dry erase board activities that preschoolers love while also strengthening fine motor skills.

Before preschoolers can start writing, the muscles in their hands and fingers must be strengthened. That can sound complicated, but really, it’s not.

Developing pre-writing skills can be simple. It can be as simple as using a white board. Oh yes, it can!

Each day we have numerous activities that help with developing pre-writing skills. I’ve shared many of them in my collection of squeezing activities.

Starting with our toddlers, we provide playful activities that build the strength that is needed to hold writing tools.

Today I am going to share how we recently used a dry erase board to strengthen fine motor skills using regular and Do-a-Dot Markers, along with a few other materials.

Using Dry Erase Board Activities with Preschoolers

Supplies:

Dry Erase Markers
Do-a-Dot Markers
Dry Erase Board
Stencils

Do-a-Dots are a favorite in our classroom, so I decided to try them on a large dry erase white board that was placed in our reading and writing area. It has since become a favorite activity!

Developing Pre-Writing Skills on a Dry Erase Board 2

We have a large dry erase board that covers our writing table.

Because of its size, the preschoolers can use their entire arm, working shoulder stability.

(For more information on activities that promote hand development, you might like to read this page by Fine Motor 101.)

Developing Pre-Writing Skills on a Dry Erase Board 3

I have used Do-a-Dots in many different activities, but never on a dry erase board.

I appreciated how the preschoolers had to really squeeze to get the liquid to move on the board.

Developing Pre-Writing Skills on a Dry Erase Board 5

I added some dry erase markers as well.

Lots of circular motions were used involving the entire arm.

The 3 year olds added more detail. Because this board is large enough for several friends to work together, there was much collaboration going on.

The 3 year olds brought over the stencils from our writing basket.

They shared stories of what their illustrations meant, strengthening language skills.

Developing Pre-Writing Skills on a Dry Erase Board 7

Dry erase boards come in many sizes and can be used either vertically or horizontally on a wall or easel.

You can help your children develop their fine motor skills by using these white boards in the classroom, at home, or while traveling.

Educational Dry Erase Board Activities for Preschoolers

Here are 2 ways you can make your own white boards:

DIY White Board (Blogging the Moments)
DIY Magnetic White Board (Little Scholars)

Here are a few other ways to use white boards:

Letter Recognition Work on letter recognition and correct pencil grip while erasing the alphabet. (Gift of Curiosity)

Alphabet Activity: After placing alphabet magnets on a magnetic white board, invite your child to use a marker to connect each one alphabetically. (School Time Snippets)

Q-Tip Vowel Erase Activity: For older preschoolers who are learning vowels and consonants, this is a simple idea using a Q-Tip with a white board. (Toddler at Play)

Sight Words and Math Sums: Words and math sums are erased as they are figured out. (The Moffatt Girls)

Letter Experts: Write the word of the day on the white board and figure out which letters are in it. (Conversations in Literacy)

Erase a Rhyme: Say a word that rhymes with one of the pictures on your board and your child will erase it. (Teacher Mama)

Write Your Name: Have your children sign in by writing their name on a dry erase board. (Rainbows within Reach)

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Using Dry Erase Board Activities with Preschoolers

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