Fun, informal books/resources/activities for teaching 3yo to read & write?

[franch]

Just following DD1's lead, she's very preoccupied with letters and reading at the moment and really keen to learn. I'm not interested in pushing it, just want to provide whatever stimulation she might want.

So far she's particularly interested in learning which letter is which, recognising letters within words, and tracing letters on paper (dot-to-dot style).

Where should I start?

I used the Jolly Phonics finger phonics books with dd from when she was about 4 and I have just started them with ds who is almost 3. I think becasue he is exposed to her stuff he has developed an interest earlier.

Also there were some Noddy workbooks to encourage writing that were good

Agree with the Jolly Phonics. You could also try magnetic letters/numbers for the fridge door or Early Learning Centre do a tub full of foam letters that float about in the bath!

WHSmith do cheap nursery level workbooks in their education section which have the dot-t-dot letters to trace over

I got some books from Mini IQ that are write on/wipe off. They can trace letters and numbers and there are spaces to write free hand too. DD loves them.

Thanks all - will look into all of these

Put sand in a shallow tray, she can practice forming her letters in that.