Preschoolers can benefit from their exposure to Key Words. But we need to be sure it’s always an easy, comfortable process. So, here are some things to keep in mind.
Modify Materials and Process to Make It Easier
1. Lack of motor skills need not stand in the way of copying their Key Words. Show the child how to use a Montessori moveable alphabet — on a small rug. Or use a set of magnetic letters on a cookie sheet.
2. If the child is enjoying Key Words, but not recognizing yesterday’s word the following day, it’s not yet time to give them a Word Ring. Once they do immediately recognize a word the day after they got it, give them a Word Ring.
3. Once they have a Word Ring, they’ll “read” every word on it at the beginning of each session. Take off any word they don’t immediately recognize. Having words on their ring they don’t recognize undermines their confidence and destroys the power of Key Words. So, avoid giving them hints or helping them sound out the word. That comes later.
If they don’t recognize a word, just set it aside and toss it later.
But if they’ve been doing this successfully, and they suddenly forget some words on their Word Ring, see what to do here.
4. They probably won’t recognize their Key Words in their book — or anywhere else — until they’ve reached the advanced Steps.
So, in the preschool classroom, send the first book home with a note, explaining you’re helping them build a foundation for reading and writing. Clarify that you don’t expect the child to remember these words yet. Suggest they simply admire the book and read the words to the child. “Alligator Mouth” helps to change this.
5. Let a child hold a pencil or crayon in any way they choose, until around 3 ½ or 4 years old, . Then, try an activity called, Alligator Mouth. “Alligator Mouth” helps to change this.
Keep the Process Comfortable and Enjoyable
In no particular order, following are a few things to help a child be comfortable with and enjoy the Key Words process. For above all, we want to be sure the child is confident in their ability to work with print.
1.Be sure the child is envisioning something of interest to them. A Key Word is the caption for a mind picture. Give them plenty of time to talk about and decide what word best represents what’s on their mind.
2. Each child needs to go at their own pace. Just as with every other living thing, children develop according to an inner timetable. Rate of growth is NOT necessarily an indicator of capability.
3. Give only ONE Key Word a day. More can be confusing. But their Key Word can be more than one word, as “birthday cake” or “ice cream cone.”
4. Don’t equate their work with their value. Avoid saying, Good boy/girl! Instead, say something like, Yes, that’s right! Good work!
5. If you notice they’re not copying you exactly, but it’s important for skill development — overlook it at first. It may be something they can’t quite do yet, so ignore it for a while, but keep modeling it, as before. Then sometime later, ask them to try the way you’re 
doing it.
For instance, take tracing over the letters with their finger. Some may trace each letter, very carefully. Others might just swipe over the entire word at once. So, ignore that at first and come back to it later.
And while we’re on the subject, once they’re dictating sentences, do NOT ask them to trace over the words in the sentence. That’s too much work!
6.If they’re not enjoying getting words, first, consider whether they’re feeling pressure — or are afraid of doing something wrong. But if that’s not the problem, then perhaps they simply not yet ready to work with print. So, stop doing it! See the following page about readiness.
Understanding the Child’s Process and Explaining It to Others
Given there’s no way to predict what will come up in your situation, it will help o be familiar the thinking behind this approach. You’ll find pages discussing that in the section of the menu headed Why Writing First?
Not everyone is aware of the latest findings about child development. If you find yourself being questioned about what you’re doing, you’ll find some answers in Why Key Words…
For more practical help, see a page of Detailed Directions for every Step and printable, Brief Descriptions of The Steps. And remember to check out the Phonics activities!