This is a super fun activity to help children clear up the lowercase b and d reversals.
Do you have cute kiddos trying to learn the distinction between b and d? It’s tricky and it’s common for children to mix them up for a while.
For this reason, I created two fun little phrases to try and help them clear up the b and d reversals early.
THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER LETTER STROKES
If you’d like to read more about letter strokes, I’ve also posted:
The Importance of Proper Letter Strokes
Drawing With Your Young Child Has Long Term Benefits
Help Children Learn to Write-10 Strategic Steps
TWO FUN PHRASES
Alright, here are the b and d phrases!
“BACK-BELLY-b”
and
“DONUT-DUNK-d”
COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS
Note: The Common Core Standards that can be addressed with this lesson are CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.k.1.A and L.1.1.A.
Now here’s how to teach them!
BACK—-BELLY—-b
It’s important that you teach one at a time. Let’s start with “BACK-BELLY-b”
Place it in a plastic page protector*.
Have your child trace the strokes with a finger. They first draw down for the back, then up and around clockwise for the belly.
OR
Have your child trace the strokes with a dry erase marker. It erases easily. Your child can practice it many times.
Next, have your child complete the BACK BELLY-b week long challenge!
For 5 days straight, during snack time, have your child or students place a bite of snack in the belly of the b. Then, they trace the back, the belly and say b! Have them do that for each bite of their snack each day for 5 days!
I have a good feeling that this exercise will help them remember what a lower case b looks like!
DONUT—-DUNK—-d
Now, “DONUT-DUNK-d”.
I suggest teaching a handful of letters between the b and d. Give time for the child to practice b with many other letters. For example, they might write the words ball (bl), balloon-(bln), big, bat….focus on introducing them to words that don’t have the letter d.
Once you see that the child has a strong and consistent “BACK-BELLY-b”, you can introduce:
“DONUT-DUNK-d”.
Place it in a plastic page protector*.
Have your child trace the strokes with a finger. They first write a counterclockwise donut, then down with the dunk!
OR
Have your child trace the strokes with a dry erase marker. It erases easily. Your child can practice it many times.
Next, have your child complete the “DONUT-DUNK-d” week long challenge!
For 5 days straight, have your child or students draw one dozen donut-dunk-d’s.
My son likes to write his letters small. They don’t have to be. It doesn’t matter the size, just as long as the child is writing the counterclockwise circle first (the donut), then the stick (the dunk).
On the 5th day, celebrate with a donut dunk treat! Treat your child or students to a donut and a cup of milk (or non-dairy milk for those who are lactose intolerant).
I have a good feeling that this exercise will help them remember what a lower case d looks like!
