I remember reading something here about cutting letters out of sandpaper to help kids learn their letters. But I am wondering, why *sandpaper*? Is it b/c it is more durable or does it have to do something with "feeling" the letters? My ds has learned all of his capital letters but is having a hard time figuring out the lower case ones, so I was thinking of cutting some out, since just looking at the letters isn't sinking in.

It is my understanding that it is a Montesorri thing and that it is about the touching/feeling thing.

I did this with my dd. It was from a Montesorri homeschool book. The reason you do it this way is:

1. The very fine sandpaper gives them a tactile experience
2. Tracing their fingers along the large letters teaches their hands the gross motor movements of the letters
3. Saying the letters and sounds as they trace gives an auditory experience
4. Speaking the letter name/sounds gives a verbal experience.


Basically the more senses you can incorporate with learning, the better you'll remember and understand. HTH