Learning to Write the Alphabet with Cotton Swab Painting
All you need to set this up for your preschool-aged child is a piece of paper (we used construction paper), paint (we used Crayola tempera), a marker or pen, and a cotton swab.
Write the Alphabet with Cotton Swab
First, write the letters of the alphabet on the piece of paper.
We were learning upper case letters, so that is what I wrote. You can practice lower case if that is where your child is in their learning.
I like using an old baking sheet as a painting tray because it helps contain the mess.
My daughter wanted to use multiple colors of paint to alternate colors as she went along, but when I did this with my son when he was 3, he picked one color. You and your child can choose what you would like to do.
At first, my son was dotting along each letter, but it was ultimately better pre-writing practice to trace each letter using the cotton swab…it was quicker too.
Sometimes copy-work can be boring, or not engaging enough for the creative child, so this merges that need for art exploration with a more structured activity like tracing the letters. It is a nice go-to when you need to teach the alphabet to a reluctant learner!
My oldest daughter also painted the numbers 1-12 using this painting method.
Even if your child is not yet ready for this structured activity of learning to write the alphabet with cotton swab, painting with cotton swabs is a nice alternative to paint brushes. Since it is easy to use multiple colors and simple to clean up!
Here are some more learning to write the alphabet activities:
Free printable Qtip letter painting pages from ABCs to ACTs
Cotton Swab Pre-Writing Painting Activity from Lessons Learnt Journal
Easter Egg Painting with Cotton Swabs and Fingers for a messy art activity at Danya Banya
View more easy to set up Preschool Activities here.
Enjoy your time at home!
Kathy J. Bowman says
April 9, 2017 at 9:45 pmWow! my 34 months old daughter loves to paint. Already painted on all of my walls. May be this can give her more drawing pleasure!
Angelecia Huggart says
February 18, 2017 at 11:59 ami like these ideas. They definately are helpful.
Nancy Shaw says
December 12, 2016 at 12:20 amI loved this post! I have a 19 month old boy & I love reading to his.
Jaimi says
December 29, 2016 at 2:14 pmThank you! Reading to the little ones is so important. Enjoy!
Melissa Matters says
February 18, 2015 at 6:44 pmHow fun! My son is ready to start writing letters so I think this would be a great activity for him.
Jaimi says
February 20, 2015 at 10:42 pmPerfect! This will be a great exploratory activity for him. Have fun!
Susen Kuchta says
February 17, 2015 at 11:57 amWe just tried our hand recently at painting with cotton swabs too! I like your letter painting idea.
Jaimi says
February 17, 2015 at 8:47 pmOh, fun! Thanks, Susen. This was a major break through for my "reluctant learner", so it was a really great experience.