Workbook author and internationally-experienced literacy specialist Ros Lugg outlines the key issues that arise withlearning handwritingand explains the research that supports it.
Why learn handwriting?
Learning correct handwriting is an important part of literacy development and has a significant on-going benefit, even with older students.
Developing fine motor skills
The video below gives guidance on developing the fine motor skills needed for correct handwriting and explains the importance of using the 'cursive flick' style of writing.
Teaching recommendations
The workbook looks at the best way to teach pencil grip, and why teaching more frequently used letters in the beginning is more beneficial than teaching the more simply-formed letters.
Workbook structure
The workbook takes a systematic approach, teaching letters in 'shape families'. There are also activities to develop phonemic awareness - listening for the correct sound in words. Finally, there's a checklist you can use to keep track of your child's progress.
A structured handwriting resource designed by literacy experts
Watch this video for some guidance on using the workbook
“Even in this day and age, handwriting is an essential skill. Teaching and practising correct handwriting is linked with improvements in all aspects of literacy. It's also crucial for handwriting to become an automatic skill, so a learner no longer needs to think about letter formation, but can concentrate on the content and ideas when writing.”
Young children who struggle with letter formation may find it useful to say the movement out loud as they're forming the letter. Your child could also practise the movements as a gross motor movement by drawing the movement in the air at the same time as saying the movements.
Carefully designed word content
You will see that every letter is practised individually and also in simple words. The words have been chosen because they are very high frequency words and, where possible, in an order which is consistent with the letters which have been learned up to that point.
Practise letter sounds
Pictures are included to practise identifying beginning sounds. Be careful to make it clear that it is the sound which is important in this exercise, not the letter!
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This free workbook is designed to be printed by you.
However, if you'd like to purchase a printed copy, then it is available from these retailers:
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