Getting a young child to sit down and practice their alphabet can sometimes feel like a battle. Staring at plain, black-and-white flashcards or tracing the same letters over and over again gets boring very quickly.
When kids lose interest, they start wiggling in their seats, complaining, or simply walking away. You know they need to practice their letters and sounds to get ready for reading, but you want them to actually enjoy the process.
The secret to making phonics fun? Add a little bit of creativity and art to the mix! When you combine learning with something your child already loves to do—like drawing and coloring—the resistance disappears.
If you have never heard of "directed drawing" before, it is simply a step-by-step guide on how to draw something. Instead of just telling a child to "draw a dog" and watching them get frustrated because they don't know how, you show them one simple line or shape at a time.
Kids absolutely love directed drawing for a few big reasons:
-
It Builds Confidence: When they follow the simple steps and realize they just drew a real, recognizable animal, their faces light up with pride!
-
It is Calming: Following step-by-step visual instructions is very relaxing and helps kids focus their busy minds.
-
There is No "Wrong" Way: Even though there are steps, every child's drawing comes out looking a little different and uniquely theirs.
You might be wondering, what does drawing animals have to do with learning how to read? A lot, actually!
First, directed drawing is amazing for fine motor skills. Every time your child holds a pencil to draw a circle or a straight line, they are building the hand strength they need to write letters smoothly.
Second, we pair the drawing with phonics. If your child is learning the "C" sound, they draw a Cat. As they draw, you can talk about the sound the letter makes. When the drawing is done, they can practice writing the letter or the word right next to their masterpiece. It connects the letter sound to a fun memory!
Want to try this fun learning method at home or in your classroom? We have put together a wonderful, zero-prep activity just for you.
Our FREE Animals Directed Drawing Worksheet Phonics Printable includes easy, step-by-step animal drawing guides. It is the perfect morning work, rainy day activity, or quick phonics lesson. Just print it out, grab a pencil, and watch your little artist get to work!
What age is this directed drawing activity for? These worksheets are great for kids in preschool, kindergarten, and first grade (usually ages 4 to 7). However, even older kids love a fun drawing challenge!
My child gets frustrated easily when drawing. Will this help? Yes! Directed drawing is perfect for kids who say "I don't know how to draw." By breaking a big picture down into very simple lines and circles, it takes the pressure off and shows them that they can do it.
Do we need any special art supplies? Not at all. A regular pencil and an eraser are all you need to start. Once they finish the drawing, they can use crayons, markers, or colored pencils to bring their animal to life!
Don't let phonics practice be a chore anymore. Bring a little art into your daily routine and watch how excited your child gets to learn their letters!
Grab your pencil, download your free worksheet, and get ready to see some amazing animal artwork on your fridge today.
Looking for more easy, no-prep learning activities to keep your child busy? Check out these other favorites from the Crafted with Bliss shop: