Dot to Dot Activities for Kindergarten

Connect the Dots

• "Connect the dots" is a kindergarten activity in which children draw lines from one numbered dot to another to complete a cartoon picture. This exercise helps a child demonstrate understanding of the correct sequence of numbers. "Connect the dots" is most often completed with pencil and paper, though some online versions can be completed with the click of a mouse and may even trigger an animation, as a reward for correct completion of the puzzle.

Dot Word Puzzles

• Preschoolers can be taught the spelling of simple words with a printout that shows the correct sequence of letters in the word, on one side of the page, and a jumble of letters on the other. The object of the activity is for the child to show his reading comprehension by correctly drawing a line between the dotted letters, in the correct sequence to form the featured word. Some word puzzles also form a cartoon outline when completed correctly.

Dot Tracing

• Some teachers help children begin to write by breaking basic letters down into many small dots, and covering this template with sheer tracing paper. The child can them simply draw matching dots on the tracing paper, over the template letter, as she learns to write the letter correctly. This method can be used for simple words or symbols as well.

Matching/Counting Games

• Simple matching games, such as "Which of these don't belong?" or "Which one is different?" are appropriate activities for preschool children that test their ability to discern between similar objects. These match game items often feature varying numbers of dots, such as polka dots on a dress, as a way of testing a prechool child's grasp of quantity. A similar alternative test is to ask a child to tell how many balloons on a printout have stripes, and how many have polka dots.