Materials:  

This lesson is for children who are aged 4 (mature 4!) through kindergarten. Talk about the importance of having names and how names (and labels) are how we share information with each other. Give examples such as, "If I told you to think of a rock, inside your head will remember what a rock looks like and some people can even see a picture of a rock inside your head." "If I say the name 'Robin' (with Robin being a member of the class), you all know who I am talking about, right?" (Everyone can point to Robin or children might express that they can see a picture of Robin in their heads.) Repeat this with another one or two children then talk about how names are important to us and how we each have our own very special name.

Objective/Purpose:

Child will recognize and put together the letter of their first name.

Procedure:

1.      Talk about our names. Have children try to sound some of the letters out and guess what letter that might be.

2.      Give each child an envelope with the letters of their first name cut into squares. Have children construct their names and glue onto paper, arranging the names first before starting the actual gluing.

3.  Have children say letters of children’s names together in unison.

Practice & Extended Activities:

Extend this learning by putting out letter stamps so children can stamp the letters of their name on paper. Letters can be cut or torn from magazines and glued to paper. A sand tray can be set out to let children trace the letters of their name. Names can be constructed from play dough or painted. Names can be printed and then stickers or items can be glued to the lines of the letters.