Practicing Letter Recognition with a Pumpkin and Dry Erase Marker

Materials:

• Pumpkin
• Dry erase marker or chalk
• Wet rag or wipe
• (Optional) Activity cards such as alphabet, numbers, sight words, etc.

It is officially October, and we are breaking out all the pumpkin activities! This one is so simple and fun! All you need is a pumpkin, a dry erase marker or chalk, and a wet rag, wipe, or sponge. Dry Erase markers and chalk can be washed off of pumpkins, allowing you to repeat this activity over and over before you finally carve those pumpkins for Halloween. Simply write numbers or letters or any other skill you are wanting to work on with your little one on your pumpkin. Then call them out one at a time for your child to find and erase using a wet rag.

Potential Skills to incorporate:

• Letter Recognition
• Letter Sounds
• Number Recognition
• Counting
• Shapes
• Sight Words
• Colors
• Math facts
• Spelling Words
• Vocabulary Words
• Connect the dots
• Free Draw

Truly, endless activities thanks to one cute little pumpkin!

My little guy and I used our pumpkin to practice letter recognition and letter sounds. I wrote the letters on the pumpkin, handed him a wet rag, and we got to work. I called out a letter one at a time and made sure to say both the letter and the sound so he can start to make that connection. He then would find the letter on the pumpkin, point to it, and wipe it off. Each time telling the letter goodbye. "Bye-bye A," "See you later B." We continued until we had cleaned off the entire pumpkin. Once finished I let him do a little free drawing on the pumpkin with the dry erase marker.

A few things worth noting:

• Follow your child's lead. If they aren't into the activity, stop and try it again later. Truthfully, I had not expected we would clean off the entire pumpkin, but he was really into this activity!
• Set them up for success! No matter what skill you are working on, use the majority of words/letters/numbers etc. that they already know and add only a few new and tricky ones. For example, If they are just starting to recognize letters, try using only the letters in their name!
• The smaller pumpkin worked great for a toddler! I loved that he could spin and roll it around to get a better look as he hunted for the letter I had called out.

• Wiping the marker/chalk off is helping build fine motor skills. My little guy needed a bit of help getting the letters completely off the pumpkin. It was difficult for him to put enough pressure against the pumpkin to fully clear it. That's okay, he was getting extra practice and building those muscles through this activity! Another fun way to wipe the marker/chalk clean is to use a spray bottle to squirt the letter then use a sponge or old toothbrush to rub it clean.
• Use activity cards to turn this into an independent activity. We have several options for Halloween themed number cards, alphabet cards, shapes, and sight words, but handwritten cards work too! Provide your child with cards that are represented on the pumpkin, they will then pick a card, find it on the pumpkin, and erase it. Just like that, you have a chance to prep dinner!

Repeat the same activity over or try a different skill. I hope this activity in any form brings your little one enjoyment and provides you with a chance to sit close by with a hopefully hot cup of coffee!