We were outside eating dinner at the picnic table when my youngest, who is 3, began playing with large, thin pieces of wood we have out back (we are building a tree fort). He crossed them and said, “Did I make an X?” He had, so we asked him if he could make a “T” – he did, and an “L” – we are in the process of cutting some old toe moulding down to various sizes so that he can continue to create. The pieces are large enough so that when the letter is ‘built,’ it is as large as our son. This proved to be a great sensory experience – I’ll add updates on how this experiment evolves! If anyone else has tried new or innovative ways for young learners to experience language, please comment!

- Heather