Handwriting

Handwriting or letter formation, as it is also called is a tricky business. Not only do children have to master gaining dexterity in their fingers, as well as being able to hold a pencil in the right position they also have to learn to form their letters correctly too. As adults we take this skill for granted, but children have a lot to learn in a short space of time. 

Although some children will adapt to this seamlessly, forgetting a time where they were ever unable to express themselves through writing, other children have all the ideas in their head but when transferring it to paper they are unable to make any sense of it. This unfortunately tends to put many children off writing, which is such a shame. 

If you identify these difficulties with your little person, there are ways you can help them to progress with their handwriting, without even having to persuade your child to pick up a pencil at all! Therefore, when they do eventually grasp the confidence to express their ideas in writing, you will see a marked improvement in their letter formation just by trying a few fun activities with them.

Messy Play

If you have had chance to read any of Mrs Hand’s super posts on messy play yet, you will have realised what huge fans the children and adults are of it here at Hazelmere! Not only does it improve children’s dexterity by encouraging them to exercise their hands and finger tips but it also gives them opportunities to practise their letters by tracing them out in the messy play. Shaving foam is particularly excellent for this (often costing no more than 50p for an economy can from any supermarket) By squirting some onto a large tray getting children to practise writing letters using their fingers, helps them to understand where the letter starts, goes and finishes with the ability to quickly erase any mistakes brings the fun back into forming letters. Add a sprinkle of glitter on the shaving foam to make it extra magical too! For loads of other messy play ideas look further down the blog for Mrs Hand’s messy play Mondays or click on the messy play label in the side bar!

Magic Finger Writing

When showing children how to form letters by writing on paper, I often find that my hand conceals exact process of what they need to see to learn how to write the letter. Therefore, by practising forming the letter by using our ‘magic fingers’ in the air, children can again, see where the letter starts, goes and finishes as well as attempting it themselves too. To make things extra exciting, you could always use a wand or sword to enhance the ‘magic’ of the writing. Alistair Bryce-Clegg’s blog, ‘ABC Does’ gives an excellent example of Jedi writing for any budding Star Wars fan!

Fine Motor Skills

Fine motor skills are activities which specifically target children’s dexterity and help to strengthen their hands and fingers, leading on to letter formation. Although in the Early Years we have daily sessions to practise our fine motor skills, there are things which you can do with your child at home to help them practise this. Everyday things such as:

·         Pulling up and down zips,

·         Doing up and opening buttons,

·         Using scissors to cut paper, card and materials,

·         Squeezing bottles,

·         Screwing and unscrewing caps,

·         Tying shoelaces

Just to name a few! Although these activities may seem strange ideas to help your child write their letters, not only will they put the fun back into handwriting but also get them ‘ready’ to put pencil to paper. 

As always we would love to see any examples of you and your child practising their letter formation at home! Please upload them on to Tapestry!

Have Fun!

Mrs Scott