Pre-writing is the phase that comes before writing, as the name suggests. Before a child can formally write, the child will need all kinds of intervention to prepare for writing letters. One important activity is following lines, from left to right, the direction in which we write. Pre-writing can be enjoyable with fun strips like these ball sports ones.
The ball sports pre-writing strips are quite fun to use during a sports unit. It not only practices pre-writing skills, but also shows which kind of ball fit with specific sport equipment. For instance, the basketball matches the basketball hoop. A child would focus on the matching of pictures and not realize he/she is practicing writing skills.
You can also use the opportunity to teach your students/children about the different kinds of sports, which sporting equipment is needed and compare the sport types. Language and vocabulary develops through using the correct terminology- a baseball bat vs a hockey stick, a cricket ball vs a hockey puck etc.
Pre-writing practice strips like these are perfect to use in a literacy center- simply write and wipe! It can be used over and over again and would keep a good few years. Simply print the free sheets, laminate and cut into strips. Provide a dry-erase pencil and you have an independent activity for your budding writers!
Nadia from Teach Me Mommy
Nadia is a South African mommy of two and a therapist at an elementary remedial school. She blogs over at Teach me Mommy about easy and playful activities with the aim to teach. You can follow along on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.
For another FREE Sports-themed activity, see our Baseball Letter Sounds Game!
That sounds like such a useful and engaging resource for little learners! Sports-themed pre-writing strips are a clever way to combine motor skill development with fun, especially since many kids are already fascinated by games like basketball, cricket, and hockey. I really like how these activities sneak in important skills like left-to-right direction and vocabulary without making it feel like a chore. It’s also a great idea to connect sports equipment with the right ball – that kind of matching helps reinforce both recognition and memory.
ReplyDeleteI think adding real-world sports examples can make the activity even more exciting. For instance, while practicing with a cricket ball strip, you could introduce kids to the idea of tournaments and teams, like the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 India squad, to give them context about how these sports are played professionally. This way, they not only strengthen their writing foundation but also start building awareness of global sporting events. Activities like these are a win-win: fun for children and incredibly valuable for early educators and parents looking to prepare kids for school.