Learning guide
Helping children practise handwriting
Good handwriting starts with forming each letter the same way every time: starting in the right place and moving in the right direction. Habits learned early are easier to keep than to change later.
Start points and direction
Most letters start at the top. Showing children where to start and which way to go, with a dot and an arrow, helps them build the right movement. Tracing over a letter with a finger before using a pencil helps too.
Schools teach letter formation in different ways, including which letters to start with and whether to add joining tails. If your child is at school, ask which style they use and follow it at home.
Group letters by movement
Letters that share a movement are easier to learn together: c, a, d, g, o and q all start with the same curve, and l, i, t share a straight downward stroke.
Make practice comfortable
A good writing position makes a difference.
- Sit at a table with feet flat on the floor or a box.
- Hold the paper steady with the other hand.
- Use a pencil that suits their hand size.
- Practise a few letters well rather than a whole page.
Encourage, don't correct everything
Pick one thing to praise and, at most, one thing to work on next time. Writing for a reason, such as a shopping list, a card or a label for a drawing, makes practice feel worthwhile.
Browse resources for Ages 4–5 and Ages 5–7.
This guide is general information for parents and educators. If you're concerned about your child's progress, their teacher is the best person to talk to.