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Wikki Stix are non-toxic, wax-coated yarn pieces that can be bent, twisted and formed into different designs. This set includes 36 Wikki Stix and 26 individual alphabet cards to help children learn letter formation in a hands-on tactile way. Simply trace the letter by pressing Wikki Stix along the lines. Directional arrows printed on the cards help children learn the proper sequence for writing each letter. The backgrounds are simple and cards are sturdy. Wikki Stix will never dry out and can be reused for continued play.
Approx. Price: $13.95 Box Age Range: 3+ yrs # of Pieces: 51-100 Washability: Surface Wipe Storability: Easy Directions: Pictorial Play Locations: Indoor Adjustability: None Levels of Play: One Level Batteries: None needed
Description
The Wikki Stix adhere easily and can be reused.
The Wikki Stix are all uniform in texture.
When attached, the Wikki Stix provide a raised letter or design for children who are blind to feel.
To most children, Wikki Stix are fragrance free. Children who are highly sensitive may smell a very, very slight odor.
The pressure a child uses to adhere the Wikki Stix can provide needed physical pressure and stimulation to fingertips.
Skills
Literacy is practiced through play.
Visual perception skills are used to trace over the letters and objects on the cards with Wikki Stix.
Play Ideas
Compete one card using the Wikki Stix have the child, without looking, identify the letter by touch.
Adaptation Ideas
Use Wikki Stix to trace around a coloring page for children to feel the physical boundaries.
Description
The Wikki Stix adhere easily and can be reused.
Learning letters is reinforced through tangible means.
In addition to the letters of the alphabet, each card has a picture of an object starting with the corresponding letter. This helps further reinforce letters and how letters are used to form words that describe things.
Each card only has one letter allowing the alphabet to be introduced at a child’s pace.
The font used on the cards is simple and easy to follow.
The cards have directional arrows and numbers on the letters indicating the sequence and direction of the strokes to help children learn the proper formation of each letter.
The cards work well to provide a focused play area for children who have attention difficulties.
The Wikki Stix can be repositioned so mistakes are corrected easily.
Skills
Children can learn upper and lower case letters simultaneously.
This activity supports children in recognizing and identifying letters and encourages simple spelling.
Eye-hand coordination is used as children trace over the letters and pictures on the cards with Wikki Stix.
Choice making can be encouraged as children decide what color(s) of Wikki Stix they want to use.
Color matching can be incorporated into the activity by matching the color on the cards with the same color Wikki Stix.
Fine motor skills, dexterity and precision, all necessary in writing, are practiced.
Literacy is practiced through play.
Sequential thought process is strengthened as children follow the directional arrows to complete each letter.
Play Ideas
Have the child create a picture and you guess what it is.
Write your name using the Wikki Stix.
Play a game of, “What comes before/after.” Show one letter and ask the child what letter comes before it in the alphabet. Continue by taking turns and letting the child pick a card and ask you a similar question.
Once the child is comfortable with the activity, have a contest to see who can be the first one to complete a card.
Design an additional object that starts with each letter.
Draw a picture and have the child follow the lines and press Wikki Stix to trace the picture.
Use wax paper over coloring book pages to recreate the picture.
Adaptation Ideas
Use rolled up Wikki Stix as the markers for a board game. They will adhere to the game board and won’t inadvertently get hit off the board.
To lessen frustration, give the child only one card and enough Wikki Stix to complete that card. Gradually increase the number of cards and Wikki Stix available as the child’s ability and frustration levels permit.
Description
The Wikki Stix adhere easily and can be reused.
There are enough cards and Wikki Stix to encourage more than one child to play.
The cards work well to provide a focused play area for children who have attention difficulties.
Skills
Children work on patience and attention to detail as they complete each of the letter cards.
Control of movement is a skill children practice when completing letter cards.
Literacy is practiced through play.
There are enough Wikki Stix and cards in this set to help facilitate parallel play.
Children can learn upper and lower case letters simultaneously.
This activity supports children in recognizing and identifying letters and encourages simple spelling.
Play Ideas
Label objects in the house such as refrigerator, window, door, and mirror, using Wikki Stix. This encourages word recognition.
Using Wikki Stix, write a simple “hello” note on a child’s drinking glass. The Wikki Stix will stick to plastic and glass.
After playing with the Wikki Stix Alphabet Cards have the child manually write out each letter.
Play a guessing game. Pull out one card from the stack. Don’t look at it but show it to the others at the table. Have the others give you clues for you to guess what the letter is or what the object is on the card.
Take turns to complete one card together.
Play, “Win, Lose or Draw” using Wikki Stix to draw an object.
Adaptation Ideas
Use rolled up Wikki Stix as the markers for a board game. They will adhere to the game board and won’t inadvertently get hit off the board.
Work together to complete one card or one design.
Description
The Wikki Stix adhere easily and can be reused.
Skills
Trace over the letters on the cards with one isolated finger. This encourages pointing and fine motor skills needed for life skills such as buttoning a shirt.
Control of movement is a skill children practice when completing letter cards.
Literacy is practiced through play.
Finger, hand and arm strength are increased as children press the Wikki Stix onto the boards.
Eye-hand coordination is used as children trace over the letters and pictures on the cards with Wikki Stix.
Fine motor skills, such as pincer grasp, can be refined through play with Wikki Stix.
Bilateral coordination is utilized as children secure one end of the Wikki Stix to the surface with one hand and move the other end into place with the other hand.
Play Ideas
Encourage reaching by making one large letter on the entire surface of a table.
Adaptation Ideas
Twist two Wikki Stix together to make a thicker Wikki. This may be easier for a child to hold and manipulate.
Wikki Stix can be used as raised guides for a child to color. A caregiver can outline a picture using Wikki Stix and the child then can use the Wikki Stix as a raised guide for each coloring area.
Use rolled up Wikki Stix as the markers for a board game. They will adhere to the game board and won’t inadvertently get hit off the board.
Different Shapes and/or Colors
Includes Activity Guide to Expand Play
Hands-on Approach to Learning
Can Be Used Independently or w/Others
Innovative
Open-ended
Inviting Due to Uniqueness
Wide Age Range
Visually Stimulating
Tactilely Stimulating
High Contrasting Colors
Durable
Lightweight
Easy to Store
Simple
Versatile
Fosters Imagination/Promotes Creativity
Developmental processes promoted
Visual Discrimination
Motor Planning
Wrist Rotation
Two-Handed Play – Midline Focus and Transferring
Finger and Hand Control and Dexterity
Coordinated Movement
Pre-Literacy
Functional Finger Movement and Exploration
Letter Recognition and Identification
Spatial Relationships e.g. Under, Over, On, Off
Eye-Hand Coordination
Fine Motor
Action Concepts e.g. In/Out, Push/Pull, On/Off, Go/Stop
