Name Bean Collage

A great way to work on recognizing and spelling names, is to make name collages. This time we made a name bean collage(with a few other bits in between from another activity when we used the beans).

  
With this activity, you are not just working on spelling of names, but fine motor skills are developed here by pinching the small items to stick on the glue, and even placing the glue dots on the right spot requires fine motor skills. (Not to mention hand eye coordination)

  
Setting up this bean collage activity is fairly simple. You need a large paper, some glue (when we work with small items, I always provide earbuds to work with, this way the child cannot waste too much glue), and beans/lentils. You can however use any small items to make this type of collage. Think popcorn, small pasta, rice, sand…

  
 

Write the name of the child on the paper. Let him/her use the glue independently to start the collage. Guide them to work from left to right, the same way we write. It is important for them to do it this way because this helps them to get a “feel” of writing directionality.

The child then adds the beans by using a pincher grip. Younger kids will probably grab a handful of beans and simply throw it onto the glue. If exploration is your aim with a younger child, that is fine, but do expect a child from 3 years and up to use a pincher grip to encourage fine motor skill development.

  
After the glue had dried, use this to go over the beans like you would write the child’s name. A fun, multisensory way to learn to write your name!

See more ideas on Name Recognition Activities!