I Like Simple

And this is a VERY simple craft activity just packed with educational power. I'm going to be honest here and say that this was not my idea. It was actually my babysitter's idea (yes, I am incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful sitter right now - she came to me after being a substitute teacher for a preschool class for children with autism).
All you need is:
-construction paper
-markers
-glue
-beads or any other similarly sized items to be glued onto the paper
Directions:
Write your child's name in large print. Then help your child trace one letter at a time with glue. Have your child glue the beads onto the letters. I made sure to ask my kids each time they moved to a new letter what the letter was and I practiced the sound for that letter with them. After we finished this activity yesterday, both of my kids could tell me all the letters in their names. :)

The beautiful finished products!

I am currently on the lookout for more great activities like this for preschoolers (ages 3-5) so that I can hopefully have lots of great things for my pre-k class planned in the fall. Please share any other ideas you have and I'll be so grateful!