We use Spell to Write and Read and Cursive First and they both suggest to use a salt box to help with beginning penmanship. It is a great way to help develop and/or reinforce fine motor patterns needed for writing. Plus it is great for kinesthetic learners who may need a more tactile experience. When teaching my daughter cursive, she practiced her letters in the air, on my back, sometimes in paint, and always in the salt box before ever writing the letter with a pencil on paper. I am now using the same technique with my 5 year olds.
Well, if I can figure out how to make something rather than buy it, in most cases I will. So, while you can purchase a salt box for fairly cheap, here are instructions for making your own!
You will need:
- scissors
- pencil
- salt
- a photo box (like the one below…mine measures about 7.5” x 11”) ***make sure that the inside of the box is black…so that there will be a contrast with the salt***
First you want the box to be shallow so that it doesn’t impede the writing skill. So, to make it easy, take the lid off the top of the box and put the lid on the bottom of the box. Once you have the lid on the bottom of the box, trace all the way around the box. (It is not so easy to take a picture with one hand while trying to show how to trace the lid with the other! LOL)
Next, remove the lid and cut the box along the line you traced. Now, your box will be about 1.5 inches or so deep and the lid will fit on it perfectly. (see photo below)
Now, just add salt and let your little scribe get to work practicing! 
I Pledge Allegiance {Flag Craft}
Karminmari
I love it! I made mine with a shoebox (strengthened it by taping all around the outside, inside, and around the top, once it was cut). Works like a charm, and virtually free!
shauna
Two weeks ago I had a “brilliant” idea to do this with rice. I found the link to your salt box on Homeschool Creations this morning. I can definitely see the merit of fine grained salt over rice and I can’t wait to make my own salt box for my daughter to use!
Sabrina
This is a fantastic idea! I’m headin for the shoe boxes right now:)
Itsy Bitsy Learners
What a neat idea .. I always use a sand tray … but this seems worth a go!
Lady Chadwick
Salt box, I need to make one of those for my Baby Girl (not a baby any more)
Michelle
This is going on my to-do list for Eliana for preschool ~ thanks so much!
Basia
I was going to try and find a way to make one of these too. You’re idea is perfect. Thanks for sharing!
Jolanthe
Made mine yesterday!! 🙂 I’ll be showing you some linky love this Friday!! Thanks for the great idea.
sarahssweeties
This is a great idea! I may have to try it for my boys!
Stacey
LOVE this idea! Always looking to incorporate a variety of sensory experiences as well as promote fine motor skills. Thank you! Bookmarking your blog!
Deborah
I love this!!
Shore Girl
I just started following your blog (saw your link on Mish Mash Maggie’s site and clicked to follow since you’re doing Adventures this year too!)
This is a neat idea and fun too! Happy Homeschooling!
Crow Family of 5
My boys would love that! Did you find that they kept the salt in the box, or did it end up everywhere? That would be my fear. We’ve done letter practice outside in the sandbox, on the driveway in chalk, and on cookie trays with shaving cream, but never with salt. Might have to give it a try. Thanks so much for posting that idea!
Jennifer
Angela
Hi Jenn, I have to say that I’m a little embarrassed by not realizing the scope of your amazing blog/s! I was looking for resources for those that homeschool multiples and remembered that, hello, you are not only doing it successfully, but surviving/flourishing and blogging about it! If you have anymore homeschooling with multiple resources could you send me a couple to add to my list? I posted about you already today and said that I will be spending the next week just at your site! There are so many goodies here! You’ve done all the legwork and made the resources and ideas so easily available! Thanks so much!
cooperkelly4
Hi Jenn! Love your blog. I just started following it a couple of weeks ago. We also use SWR and cursive first. Love it!! I got some plastic type salt boxes (dollar section at Target a few years back and have never seen them since) I thought I would pass on that I am doing a SpellQuizzer give away on my blog. It works wonderfully with SWR. I use it the same day I do dictation so they still are writing the words for that day, but it gives them a break in writing. Other days we do a normal quiz, etc. It doesn’t replace dictation, etc but it does help balance our schedule with my 4 kids. =0) I am sure you can relate! Best wishes on your school year. Kelly
http://lovinglifeslittlemoments.blogspot.com/
child central station
I love the salt box idea. I’ve always used a sand box, which is similar, but not exactly the same. Thanks for sharing!