Wax Tablet

This is a wax tablet and was in use around 1,800 years ago. Children in the 21st century may find learning to write with the help of a wax tablet an unusual aid, however the traditional method of learning to write using a wax tablet is very similar to using pencil and paper today. The child who used this tablet copied the teacher's script and has concentrated on letter formation. Asking children to use a wax tablet to perfect handwriting skills today could be quite a novelty as they are much more familiar with pencil, paper and a rubber.

Children should have a reason to write and even though many of them are competent writers, they can find writing imaginative poetry and stories a tedious task. A wax tablet could inspire them to write something that would seem uninteresting if they had to produce it using a pencil and paper.

The activities in this topic will spark any child's enthusiasm because initially they will have to make the object before they begin to write any story or poem. This will encourage writing with a purpose. An adult must supervise this activity as hot wax will be used.

Activity 1
Make a wax tablet