Name Tracing Board

ADD THE NAME FOR THE BOARD IN THE NOTES AT CHECKOUT - PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK SPELLING.

Our names are the first things that we own, the first things that are ours - to learn how to say, write and share. They help us claim ownership and pride in our work, and help shape our identities. The name tracing board helps little ones begin to recognize the combination of shapes that form their name, through tactile, kinesthetic and creative means.

It can start as a decorative piece on the nursery shelf, and then later, the name tracing board can be taken down to help little fingers physically feel the letters that have been chosen to shape their identity. Start with fingers alone, and then work the pincer strength to hold the included stylus through a variety of other toys:
-the Pincer/Palmer set,
-the Peek-A-Boo Memory Acorns,
-the tongs from the Rainbow Mini Balls set; and
-the bow and arrow set

To help develop engagement with those precious letters, creatively fill the grooves of the letters with a variety of dry sensory materials: play dough, dried rice, dried beans, beads, flower petals, or even pom poms. Please use your best judgement when selecting your sensory material and keep your child's age and his or tendency to put objects in mouth in mind. For safety reasons, never use a material that could be a choking hazard. Present the stylus only when supervision is available.

To make an additional art piece, place a piece of white paper on top of the letters and rub a crayon to create a relief image. Then have your child decorate the paper in whatever creative way he or she is inspired to do. (You can make it seasonal with a variety of natural materials found on forest walks or around your home.)

Research has shown how powerful sensory connections can be to young minds, and presenting this board at an early age just to start tracing the letters can create long-lasting neuro-connections that fire at a later age when the production of letters is required.

The shapes of the letters have been researched and are the most commonly taught versions in Preschool, Kindergarten and First Grade classrooms, with the "true lowercase a", the proper-shaped lowercase "j" (with a hook like an umbrella handle on the end), the lowercase "k" that connects mid-point to create a more fluid motion when writing, and a lowercase "q" with an upper stroke at 45 degrees from the bottom.

Please note that little fingers and wrists can't be forced to develop muscles and bone strength before they are ready. Just like walking, producing letters happens at different rates for different children. We strongly encourage creative exploration of this board in place of pressured practice. Your child will be more excited to connect with letters if he or she can come to the realization of them on his or her own terms.

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THE DETAILS

The name tracing board is made from 100% solid Canadian maple that is locally sourced.

The length of the board will depend on the number of letters in the name. The board is 4 1/2 inches wide and 1/2 an inch thick.

As a result of the unique nature of this piece, the Name Tracing Board is custom made. Please type the letters in the correct order (double check, please!) in the customization space further down.

Please allow 2-3 weeks for the name tracing board to be made and then shipped.

LOOKING FOR AN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS VERSION?

To keep the learning interest of your child first and foremost, we do not offer an all-capital-letters version.

As a wonderful Kindergarten teacher once pointed out to me, in this sentence there are 2 capital letters and 88 lowercase letters. Would you rather be the kid who knows 2 letters or 88? We think you want to be the one who recognizes 88 letters; that's why we only capitalize the first letter of the child's name. (Help spread the word! Lowercase letters are more important to start learning than capital letters.)

Please note that because wood is a natural material with different grains, your board will most likely look different from the one pictured. We do our best to make each board similar but the beauty of nature is that it is wonderfully unique.

CLEANING

We recommend using only dry sensory materials with this board. The finish is resistant to mild liquid, but is not meant for intense dunking. Spot clean with a damp cloth and let air dry. Markers and crayons are not recommended.

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A note about wooden toys: Wood is a natural material and as such, has various unique markings. Variations in wood grain, color, knots, or texture are all natural occurrences in these hand-crafted wooden products. These unique variations and markings are proof of quality, not defects. Enjoy the markings that make your toy unique!

There may be a difference in colour between what you see on your screen and what you receive in real life. This is due to different monitors and displays, and while we wish there was just one universal monitor for everyone, that isn't the case.

If you have any concerns or problems with any of our products, please do not hesitate to contact us. We want you to be entirely satisfied with what you have received and will do everything possible to make it right.