Glitter Paper Letters & Numbers Yarn Tactile Letters and Numbers Chipboard Tactile Letters and Numbers

The tactile letters and numbers (also called sandpaper or textured) are key to the 3 Year Old Curriculum. Because many 3 year olds do not have the fine motor skills for handwriting activities, I emphasize tracing the letters and numbers with the child's finger. Using the roughness of sand, glitter glue, or yarn adds one more aspect of learning. The tactile letters and numbers are listed in both the 3 Year and 4 Year Curriculum under "Items Needed." Use these to reinforce learning of Number and Letter of the Week.

Suggestion: Have the child say the Number Rhyme or Letter Formation Chant as they trace with their finger.
Trace the number the amount of times as that number (ie. trace the #5, five times.)

Below are six different ways to make these cards using sandpaper, sand, yarn, glitter paper, chipboard, or glitter glue.

To Make Sandpaper Cards:

I suggest you make the uppercase and lowercase letters as well as numbers 0-9 at the same time instead of doing the needed ones each week.

Directions:
1. Print off the templates below - Since you won’t be keeping these, feel free to use scrap paper. You may have to enlarge these to get them to the correct size.
Bubble Uppercase Letter Templates
Bubble Lowercase Letter Templates
Bubble Number Templates

2. Cut out each letter.

3. Trace around each letter on the back of a sheet of fine sandpaper. Remember: the letters must be traced back-to-front so that when you cut them, they'll appear the correct way.

4. Cut out each individual sandpaper letter very neatly. An X-Acto knife can really help with the inside cut outs.

5. Using card stock paper, cut 4x6 rectangles, enough for each letter and number. Use three different colors for the vowels, consonants, and numbers.

6. Glue the letter or number in the middle of the card with rubber cement.

7. Write the Number Rhyme or Letter Formation Chant on the back of the card so you can easily say the rhymes as your child traces the shape.

Tip from an ABCJLM user: Go to the local scrapbooking or school supply store with a couple of sheets of Sandpaper and used their Die-cutting system to cut out all the uppercase and lowercase letters as well as the numbers from 1-25! Thanks Heather!!

To Make Sand Cards:

Tactile Letters and Numbers

2. Cut out each letter. Glue onto cardstock or cardboard.

3. Drizzle or paint glue on the bubble letter. Sprinkle sand on the letter. Shake off the excess.

Thank you to Lindsay for allowing me to share this idea and her photo.

To Make Yarn Cards:

Yarn Letters and Numbers

Directions:
1. Cut out flash-card size pieces from cardboard boxes.

2. Glue scrapbooking paper over the cardboard (optional).

3. Using a pencil, write each letter/number on the paper.

4. Hot glue yarn over the pencil marks, winding around several times to make the letter/numbers thicker.

May make the letters dual-sided with a capital letter on one side and lower case on the other.

Thank you to Malinda for allowing me to share this idea and her photo.

To Make Chipboard Cards:

Chipboard Tactile Letters and Numbers

1. Purchase a set of chipboard letters and numbers (a scrapbooking item).

2. Stick the letters and numbers to cardboard, index cards, or cardstock.

Thank you to Savannah for allowing me to share this ideas and her photo.

To Make Glitter Cards:

Glitter Paper Letters & Numbers

1. Using precut letters and numbers, write on the letter or number with glitter glue or use glue sprinkled with glitter.

2. Glue the letter or number to index cards.

Thank you to Barbara for sharing this idea.

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1. Print off the templates below - Since you won’t be keeping these, feel free to use scrap paper. You may have to enlarge these to get them to the correct size.
Bubble Uppercase Letter Templates
Bubble Lowercase Letter Templates
Bubble Number Templates

2. Cut out each letter and number. Trace each on glitter paper. Cut out and glue to cardboard or cardstock paper.

Thank you to Alicia for sharing this idea.