I am learning to trace

This week, the Educatall team suggests a wide range of games and activities designed to help children learn to trace. This theme includes tons of ideas that can be used to occupy children for brief moments throughout the day, enjoyed when the weather makes going outside difficult, or integrated during transitions.

CIRCLE TIME

Illustrated circle time chart

(Open word flashcards-I am learning to trace) (Open giant word flashcards-I am learning to trace) Print several of the theme’s word flashcards and glue them on a colorful piece of cardboard. Laminate the chart. During circle time, use the chart to present various items associated with your theme to your group. You can hand each child a dry-erase marker. During your discussion period, when children identify or mention an item that is represented on your chart, encourage them to circle it using their marker. This will help younger children visualize what you are talking about. 

Let’s chat

(Open word flashcards-I am learning to trace) (Open giant word flashcards-I am learning to trace) Print and laminate the theme’s word flashcards. Have each child pick a word. They can take turns presenting their word to the group (ex. a pencil). Discuss each item and ask children questions to see what they know about the theme.

AREA SETUP

Thematic poster-I am learning to trace

(Open thematic poster-I am learning to trace) Print and display within your daycare to introduce the theme. 

Educa-theme-I am learning to trace

(Open educa-theme-I am learning to trace) Print and laminate the elements representing the theme. Use them to present the theme to your group and decorate your daycare.

Educa-decorate-I am learning to trace
(Open educa-decorate-I am learning to trace) Print, laminate, and cut out. Decorate your walls with the illustrations or hang some from the ceiling to set the mood for the theme.

A few ideas to integrate the theme

Provide cookie cutters, stencils, and compasses that children can use to trace. Cut out the shapes they trace and press them on your daycare walls and floors, on your daycare ceiling, under tables, in your various workshops, on toys and furniture items, etc. 

Light table for tracing

Find a clear rectangular bin and set it upside down on a table. Set a garland of tiny battery-operated LED lights in the bin and use it as a light table for tracing.

Diploma-I am learning to trace

(Open diploma-I am learning to trace) Print for each child. At the end of the theme, reward each child with a diploma. 

PICTURE GAME

Picture game-I am learning to trace

(Open picture game-I am learning to trace) Use the pictures to decorate your daycare or to spark a conversation with your group. Print, laminate, and store the pictures in a Ziploc bag or in your thematic bin.

Memory game-I am learning to trace

(Open picture game-I am learning to trace) Print the illustrations twice and use them for a memory game.

LANGUAGE ACTIVITIES

Word flashcards-I am learning to trace
Use the flashcards to spark a conversation with your group, in your reading and writing corner, or to identify your thematic bins. (Open word flashcards-I am learning to trace) (Open giant word flashcards-I am learning to trace) Print. pencil, stencil, compass, mark, model, dotted line, line, tracing paper, ruler, eraser, paper, set square

Let’s chat

(Open word flashcards-I am learning to trace) (Open giant word flashcards-I am learning to trace) Print and laminate the theme’s word flashcards. Have each child pick a word. They can take turns presenting their word to the group (ex. a pencil). Discuss each item and ask children questions to see what they know about the theme.

ACTIVITY SHEETS AND WRITING ACTIVITIES-I AM LEARNING TO TRACE

Activity sheet-I am learning to trace

(Open activity sheets-I am learning to trace) Print and follow instructions. 

Writing activity-T like trace

(Open writing activities-T like trace) Print for each child or laminate for use with a dry-erase marker.

I AM LEARNING TO TRACE-NUMBERS AND WORDS

I am learning to trace numbers

(Open I am learning to trace-Numbers) Laminate and insert the pages in a binder. Provide dry-erase markers. Invite children to explore the activity sheets throughout the day and simply wipe away their work using a damp cloth. They can practice tracing numbers as often as they wish. 

Word tracing

(Open tracing words) Print and laminate. Arrange the printed pages in a binder. Show children how they can trace the words using dry-erase markers. If you wish, you can leave a blank space below each word flashcard. Older children will enjoy trying to write the words on their own.

Tracing from here to there

Glue 2 crayons end to end for each child. Have them draw a line from one side of the paper to the other using one color. They must then rotate the crayons, crawling their fingers towards the other end much like a caterpillar, and use the second color to draw a line from one end of the paper to the other, working in the opposite direction. Encourage children to repeat this task as they adopt different positions. For example, you can press the worksheets on your daycare walls or glue them under tables to challenge children in different ways.  

Letter boxes

You will need 26 empty boxes (tissue boxes or other type of boxes). Write a different letter on each box. In each box, insert small pictures representing words that begin with each letter…or even small items. Present a few letter boxes to your group each day and leave them out for children to explore throughout the theme afterwards.

I can trace words

Provide different types of pens, crayons, and pencils along with notebooks, stationery, alphabet stencils, and envelopes. Encourage children to use the material to write “words”. 

Writing booklet

(Open writing booklet-The letters of the alphabet) Print for each child or laminate for use with a dry-erase marker.

Educ-trace-Back to school

(Open educ-trace-Back to school) Print for each child. Children must trace the lines using a crayon of the corresponding color.

GAMES-I AM LEARNING TO TRACE

Tracing with stickers

Provide several small stickers and invite children to press them on dotted lines to connect dots or trace shapes and letters.

Tracing with bingo markers

Provide colorful bingo markers or pompoms and invite children to position them on dotted lines to connect dots or trace shapes and letters.

I can trace lines

Draw 2 parallel lines to create a path. Encourage children to draw various shapes or markings between the lines: 0, +, |, /, -, and even zigzags. 

Creating a felt board

Glue 4 pieces of black felt on a large piece of cardboard and display it on a wall. Invite children to help you trace various shapes on colorful felt and cut them out. The shapes will stick to your felt board. Children will have fun creating scenes and combining shapes to create different things (ex. a triangle and a square to create a house). We have prepared basic geometric shapes that you can use for this activity. (Open geometric shapes) Print and cut out. 

I am learning to trace and cut

Provide scissors and strips of cardboard approximately 2-3 cm wide. Encourage children to cut the strips of paper into tiny pieces. Once this step is done, have them glue the colorful pieces between 2 parallel lines (or on a dotted line) drawn on a large piece of cardboard. 

I trace lines

Encourage children to use different types of tools to draw lines: chalk, finger paints, glitter glue, paintbrushes, bingo markers, etc. 

Complete the pictures

(Open picture game-I am learning to trace) Print several picture games and laminate them. Provide dry-erase markers and stickers in your manipulation workshop. Children will have fun decorating the pictures as they see fit by drawing additional details or by pressing stickers on them. At the end of the activity, simply remove the stickers and wipe away the markings using a damp cloth so that children can use the pictures again.

Tracing with glue

(Open shape tracing) Print for each child. Ask children to use glitter glue to trace the contour of each shape. Let dry before inviting them to color the shapes.

Tracing game

For this activity, you will need a large plastic tablecloth. Using markers and alphabet stencils, trace the 26 letters of the alphabet on your tablecloth with your group’s help.

I am learning to trace with Magic Nuudles

(Open educa-nuudles-I am learning to trace) Print for each child. Children color the scene and use Magic Nuudles to give it a three-dimensional look. Variation: If you don’t have Magic Nuudles, have children fill the spaces designed for Magic Nuudles using bingo markers or stickers.

Educ-trace fun

Print several different educ-trace activities available in the Educatall club. Encourage children to trace the lines using crayons of the corresponding colors.

I am learning to trace with mandalas

(Open mandalas-I am learning to trace) Print for each child. Children must color the mandalas using bold colors.

Educ-pattern-I am learning to trace

(Open educ-pattern-I am learning to trace) Print and laminate the game. Children must complete each pattern by adding the correct shapes.

String activities-I am learning to trace

(Open string activities-I am learning to trace) Print for each child. Children must trace the outlines using white glue and then press colorful string on the lines. 

Stencils for tracing
The Educatall club includes several different stencils. (Open insect stencils) Print the stencils and trace them on heavy cardboard. Show children how they can set the shapes on a piece of paper and use a sponge to smear them with poster paint. When they remove the stencils, they will be thrilled to see the shapes “stamped” on their paper.  

Lacing for tracing

Draw shapes on colorful cardboard. Laminate them and cut them out. Punch holes around the contour of each shape using a hole-punch. Children will enjoy threading a shoelace, ribbon, or piece of yarn through the holes.

 
Tracing paths

Draw a long path on a large piece of cardboard and encourage children to trace a line inside the path, without touching the edges.

I trace lines to draw

On a piece of paper, draw flowers, kites, and balloons. Ask children to trace lines to add a stem or a string under each shape.

My first lines

Have fun drawing with the children in your group. Draw a vertical line and invite children to do the same. Once they have mastered drawing a simple vertical line, explore horizontal lines, circles, etc.

Tracing homemade puzzles

Give each child a drawing to color. Encourage them to first trace the outline of the different shapes that make up their drawing. Cut their drawings into pieces to create homemade puzzles.  

Tracing workbooks

The Educatall club includes several different tracing workbooks. Print them for each child and invite them to use them to practice their tracing skills. (Open workbook-Tracing squares) (Open workbook-Tracing rectangles) (Open workbook-Tracing triangles) (Open workbook-Tracing diamonds) (Open workbook-Tracing pentagons)

Hole-punching for tracing

Draw 2 parallel lines to create a long path on a piece of paper for each child. Children must use a hole-punch to make holes along the path and “trace” it.

Tracing shapes

Trace simple shapes (squares, circles, triangles) on paper with the children in your group. Begin by drawing very big shapes and progressively draw smaller shapes inside each one.

Tracing with toy cars

Draw a long path on a large piece of paper and encourage children to roll a toy car from one end to the other to “trace” the path. 

OUTDOOR PLAY-I AM LEARNING TO TRACE

Drawing a path in your yard
Use ropes to draw a path on the ground in your yard. Encourage children to hop, run, or perform somersaults to “trace” the path. Children can also have fun kicking a ball along the path. You can organize a game of tag. Here, tell children that they must avoid touching the lines drawn to represent a path to provide them with a different type of challenge.

Trace a giant path

With the help of the children in your group, use chalk to draw a giant path in your yard. Children will have fun driving ride-on toys along the path.

Tracing in sand

In a large sandbox, encourage children to use sticks to trace horizontal and vertical lines, squares, circles, X’s, etc. 

I AM LEARNING TO TRACE-ARTS & CRAFTS

Tracing mobile  
(Open mobile-I am learning to trace) Print for each child. Children trace and cut out the shapes. They can decorate them using glitter, ribbon, cotton balls, confetti, etc. before gluing them back-to-back on ribbon or string so that they can be hung from the number 8.

Crumpled paper tracing
(Open models-I am learning to trace) Print for each child. Children must tear tissue paper into tiny pieces and crumple them to form balls. Once this is done, they can use the crumpled balls of paper to trace the shape outlines. 

My silhouette

Unroll a large piece of white paper on the floor for each child and invite them to lie down on it. Trace the contour of each child’s body. Have them cut out their silhouette and decorate it using markers, wooden crayons, paint, etc.

Hands and feet mobile

Trace and cut out several different hands and feet. Decorate them using glitter, ribbon, stickers, confetti, cotton balls, etc. Glue them back-to-back on either side of ribbon or string and hang them over your changing table to create a mobile. 

Coloring pages-I am learning to trace

(Open coloring pages theme-I am learning to trace) Print for each child.