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September 20, 2010 | 19 Comments

Letter Tracing – Write and Trace Place Mats

letter tracing preschool

My son has been asking how to spell things for some time, but now he wants to know how to write them too. Problem is he’s not proficient in writing yet but refuses to let me help. So instead of the whole process ending in frustrated tears we made these letter tracing place mats. So easy to make and for the same price as one pre made place mat you can buy a whole roll of contact paper and make a bunch. Remember only to use washable markers on them and you will be set!

  1. Gather your materials. You will need contact paper, a marker , some paper towels, stickers, and scissors.
  2. Start by writing out the words or letters for the mat.  Make sure the marker you use doesn’t bleed. I used paper towels because they are a perfect size for a place mat. Paper will work just fine.
  3. Add your stickers. My son wanted a fire truck themed one and I made an alphabet mat for him as well. We chose uppercase but there is no rule that you have to do uppercase.
  4. Cut your contact paper so you sandwich the place mat in it. Place the place mat face down to help avoid bubbles.
  5. Smooth and trim the edges.
  6. Start writing!  This was a huge hit with my son and the place mat can double as a mat for play dough, art and eating too!

Letter Crafts

I have been asked about the return of our ever popular Letter of The Week craft that was published most Mondays. It will be returning next month until then browse our uppercase and lowercase crafts or for an easy alphabetically organized collection and 5 exclusive (never been or  to be published on the blog) crafts check out my Alphabet Crafts eBook!

Filed Under: Age Preschool, Age: Kindergarten, Age: Toddlers, Fine Motor Activities, Preschool Crafts, Writing Activities | 19 Comments

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19 Comments

  1. welcome to our wonderland says

    September 20, 2010 at 7:32 am

    great idea!!! your so resourceful 🙂

    to welcome to our wonderland" aria-label='reply to this comment to welcome to our wonderland'>reply to this comment
  2. jo says

    September 20, 2010 at 7:34 am

    oh thats a fab idea…. thats my evening sorted making some of those!!

    to jo" aria-label='reply to this comment to jo'>reply to this comment
  3. Roo @ Nice Girl Notes says

    September 20, 2010 at 7:52 am

    Do you recommend teaching uppercase before lowercase or both at the same time? My 2 year old recognizes all the uppercase letters. Should I teach her lowercase now? Do you have a recommended method for that? 🙂

    I’m totally making a placemat!

    to Roo @ Nice Girl Notes" aria-label='reply to this comment to Roo @ Nice Girl Notes'>reply to this comment
  4. admin says

    September 20, 2010 at 10:35 am

    I would go ahead and teach her lowercase – books like “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” use lowercase. It’s important for kids to know their lowercase for reading , if she is 2 there is no rush but there is no reason not to expose her either.

    to admin" aria-label='reply to this comment to admin'>reply to this comment
  5. Tricia says

    September 20, 2010 at 12:08 pm

    Great idea – and I love the shirt he’s wearing!!!

    to Tricia" aria-label='reply to this comment to Tricia'>reply to this comment
  6. Jennifer B. says

    September 20, 2010 at 12:14 pm

    Neat idea! Hey are you in Texas? Love the shirt. =)

    to Jennifer B." aria-label='reply to this comment to Jennifer B.'>reply to this comment
    • admin says

      September 21, 2010 at 4:08 pm

      No but we visit – my husband grew up in Texas so we are longhorn fans 😉

      to admin" aria-label='reply to this comment to admin'>reply to this comment
  7. Jenae @ I Can Teach My Child says

    September 20, 2010 at 12:42 pm

    Great idea! Thanks for sharing!

    to Jenae @ I Can Teach My Child" aria-label='reply to this comment to Jenae @ I Can Teach My Child'>reply to this comment
  8. Ms.Jessi says

    September 20, 2010 at 12:53 pm

    Cute! I’ve never thought of using paper towels-brillant!

    to Ms.Jessi" aria-label='reply to this comment to Ms.Jessi'>reply to this comment
  9. Eliss says

    September 20, 2010 at 4:20 pm

    What a great idea! All three of mine love to trace their names, but hate to sit and eat – maybe this will help!

    to Eliss" aria-label='reply to this comment to Eliss'>reply to this comment
  10. polwig says

    September 20, 2010 at 7:14 pm

    What a great idea, this would be wonderful with site words in kindergarden and/or 1st grade.

    to polwig" aria-label='reply to this comment to polwig'>reply to this comment
  11. Aimee says

    September 22, 2010 at 1:50 pm

    We love this. We’ll be featuring it on our DIY Literacy Projects. Stop by and visit us at grab our “featured” button when you do. Thanks for sharing.

    to Aimee" aria-label='reply to this comment to Aimee'>reply to this comment
  12. Terra Jones says

    September 29, 2010 at 8:45 am

    Ok, dumb question – what type of marker should be used on the contact paper (I’m assuming it wipes clean?)? dry erase??

    to Terra Jones" aria-label='reply to this comment to Terra Jones'>reply to this comment
    • admin says

      September 29, 2010 at 12:18 pm

      Washable crayola is what we have been using- with a little water it wipes clean.

      to admin" aria-label='reply to this comment to admin'>reply to this comment
  13. Lisa says

    November 10, 2013 at 5:32 am

    Great idea! I teach kindergarten and am constantly looking for ideas to differentiate language arts! This gave me more ideas on how to expand on this, thank you.

    to Lisa" aria-label='reply to this comment to Lisa'>reply to this comment

Trackbacks

  1. Time Out Tuesdays: Link Up Your Giveaways — Real Heart Prints says:
    September 20, 2010 at 11:03 pm

    […] Time for Flash Cards has an awesome post on how to help your kids make their own Write and Trace Place Mats.  I absolutely love this blog because she uses everyday stuff for all of her projects, and my kids […]

    to Time Out Tuesdays: Link Up Your Giveaways — Real Heart Prints" aria-label='reply to this comment to Time Out Tuesdays: Link Up Your Giveaways — Real Heart Prints'>reply to this comment
  2. | Playdough To Plato says:
    March 30, 2012 at 2:57 pm

    […] years ago, No Time for Flashcards created a sight word placemat.  What other words have you practiced with […]

    to | Playdough To Plato" aria-label='reply to this comment to | Playdough To Plato'>reply to this comment
  3. A New Reason to Love Place Mats | Playdough To Plato says:
    March 30, 2012 at 2:57 pm

    […] years ago, No Time for Flashcards created a sight word placemat.  What other words have you practiced with […]

    to A New Reason to Love Place Mats | Playdough To Plato" aria-label='reply to this comment to A New Reason to Love Place Mats | Playdough To Plato'>reply to this comment
  4. 37 Things To Make With Contact Paper - No Time For Flash Cards says:
    September 26, 2014 at 12:41 am

    […] Your Own Jack-O-Lantern Letter Tracing Write & Wipe Mats Thanksgiving Doodle […]

    to 37 Things To Make With Contact Paper - No Time For Flash Cards" aria-label='reply to this comment to 37 Things To Make With Contact Paper - No Time For Flash Cards'>reply to this comment

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