Hands-on Montessori prewriting activities, such as dyed sand tracing trays, allow toddlers and preschoolers to practice fine motor control and develop pre-writing strokes | FREE Winter Follow the Line.
Hands-on Montessori prewriting activities, such as DIY Sensory tracing trays with dyed sand, rice, salt, or sugar, help children develop fine motor control, hand-eye coordination, and pincer hand muscles, which are fundamental for writing and many other important practical life skills.
Sensitive Period for Small Objects
Young children between the ages of one and three-and-a-half experience an intense, sensitive period when it comes to small objects. During this sensitive period, a child is fixated on small objects and tiny details, indicating that a child’s mind can discern order and particularities.
Just like myelination during infancy, where a protective myelin sheath of insulation is formed around the nerve fibers, allowing electrochemical messages to travel from the brain to the muscles, a young child needs movement.
In fact, fine motor movement promotes brain development, the hand being the chief teacher of the child. Interestingly, during this sensitive stage, the fixated interest in small objects will ultimately lead to the development of fine motor control and the pincer grasp.
He does it with his hands, by experience, first in play and then through work. The hands are the instruments of man’s intelligence… [However,] never give to the mind more than you give to the hand.
Dr. Montessori
Thus, before your child learns to hold a pencil for the first time, s/he needs sufficient fine motor control and hand strength to be able to attempt the pre-writing strokes. So, we need to prepare the hand to hold a pen or a pencil way before your child can write!
The best way to do it is through simple and engaging invitations to play and various sensorial hands-on Montessori prewriting activities.
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Pre-Writing Shapes and strokes
A significant component of pre-writing skills is pre-writing shapes. These are the pencil strokes that most letters, numbers, and early drawings are comprised of. They are typically mastered in sequential order and to an age-specific level.
These strokes include the following strokes: |, —, O, +, /, square, X, and Δ. So, tracing and forming proper strokes (horizontal, vertical, and diagonal) positively affects handwriting abilities, as tracing lines are the prerequisite to letter formation!
Dyed Sand Montessori Sensory Tracing Tray
If you think of it, all alphabet letters and numbers are made out of lines and curves. The very first line your little one will master at about two years of age is a vertical line, followed by a horizontal line, then slowly mastering curves in a circle, and finally, being skillful at / slanted lines.
So, to gain muscle control and memory, setting up inviting and hands-on Montessori prewriting activities is not only fun but effective in allowing children to practice these important skills.
Materials and Supplies
Below is the list of materials you will need to make this dyed sand tracing tray:
- A tray to contain your sensory filler
- Pre-Writing Strokes | Follow the Line Printable ~ download for FREE below
- laminating machine or an iron
- corner rounder (optional)
- sand (if collected from the beach, sieve small stones and shells prior to using)
- A recycled jar
- silver metallic paint (optional)
- 1 drop of blue food coloring (a little goes a long way!)
- glitter (optional)
- small rakes
Dyed Sand Tracing Tray Video Tutorial
A simple dyed sand tracing tray isn’t just another activity—it’s a powerful tool for early learning. It strengthens hands, keeps kids engaged, and lays the groundwork for writing in a way that feels like play.
Dyed Sand Tracing Tray Tips
First, print, laminate, and cut the pre-writing strips. Next, dye the sand following the video instructions and let it dry completely.
Once ready, pour the dyed sand into a tracing tray and gently model how to follow and trace the pre-writing strokes.
For an extra visual pop, place a contrasting sheet of paper under the sand to make the strokes stand out!
The Science Behind Sensory Play: How Tracing in Sand Builds Pre-Writing Skills
Research shows that sensory play is crucial for fine motor development and early writing skills. A study published in the Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention found that tactile-based activities, like tracing in sand, improve hand strength, coordination, and pre-writing skills in preschool-aged children (Beery & Beery, 2010).
Another study in Frontiers in Psychology highlights that multi-sensory learning enhances memory and engagement, making concepts like letter formation easier to retain (Schenk & Schumann, 2014). By engaging in hands-on, kinesthetic activities, children build the neural pathways needed for pencil control—without the frustration of traditional worksheets.
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More Fun Winter Activities for Hands-On Learning
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Why a Dyed Sand Tracing Tray Works for Pre-Writing Skills
Before kids ever pick up a pencil, their little hands need to be strong, coordinated, and ready for writing. That’s where sensory-rich pre-writing activities like a dyed sand tracing tray come in. It’s more than just play—it’s building the foundation for future handwriting in a way that feels effortless (and fun) for your child.
1. Strengthens Tiny Hands
Writing takes hand strength, wrist control, and dexterity—all skills that develop through movement and play. Swirling their fingers through sand, tracing lines, scooping, and even gently shaking the tray all work the small muscles in their hands and wrists. Think of it as a pre-writing gym session, minus the boring drills.
2. Keeps Kids Engaged
Kids are naturally drawn to textures, colors, and movement—it’s how their brains learn best. A dyed sand tray taps into their sensory curiosity, making it easier for them to focus, explore, and practice strokes without feeling like they’re doing “work.” Instead, they’re having fun, which means less resistance and more learning.
3. Prepares for Writing (Without Worksheets!)
Before kids form letters, they need to develop muscle memory for strokes. Tracing lines in sand helps them practice movements they’ll later use for writing—curves, straight lines, zigzags—without any pressure. They’re building those pathways in the brain in a way that feels natural, so when it’s time to hold a pencil, they’re ready.
DYED SAND TRACING TRAY ALTERNATIVES & TIPS
- For a taste-safe alternative, instead of sand, use salt or sugar.
- Instead of silver paint, use white paint. I did not want the blue color to be intense but rather silvery blue, like ice/glacier/snow, so I added silver paint. But feel free to skip the paint completely and add less food coloring.
- Rice is also a fun tracing medium.
With this rainbow rice tracing tray, we are using wooden alphabet with cards.
Have you ever tried making a Dyed Sand Tracing Tray? Leave a comment if you did!
For More Hands-on Montessori prewriting activities
Find full details on pre-writing strokes HERE.
LEFT TO RIGHT PROGRESSION
Montessori prewriting activities also allow your little one to learn/practice left-to-right progression. Moving left to right is a valuable skill that sometimes goes unnoticed since it is so natural to us adults.
However, it is not intuitive to little people, and a lot has to happen in their brains to move objects with their hands and their eyes from left to right. We want to practice this skill because this is how we read and write.
You can also offer loose items during Montessori prewriting activities to add novelty and fun to your tracing practice.
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You will never feel ready because ‘ready’ is not a feeling; it is a decision.
You will never feel ready because ‘ready’ isn’t a feeling; it is a decision.
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