Montessori Sandpaper Letters

A set of 52 sandpaper letter cards, 26 lowercase and 26 capital. Each card carries its letter in sandpaper, so a child traces it with a finger and feels the shape and stroke direction before a pencil is ever involved. Once the shapes are familiar, the cards combine to spell simple words, laying the groundwork for phonics and reading. Cards run about 3.4 by 2.8 inches and store in a compact box.

I have fond memories of these as a Montessori kid. You trace the letters with your finger over and over, so by the time you actually try to write them your hand already knows what to do.