Literacy parent workshop Handwriting

Feedback on phonics workshop Any questions? How’s it going? Remember the important points when reading with your child…

Why handwriting? Children need to be able to write letters fluently and accurately. We have found that handwriting is a key issue across the school. Being able to write fluently allows a child to focus on what they are writing and spelling improves!

Getting ready to write - pre writing experience To develop their handwriting a child needs strength and stability in their body. This gross motor control can be developed in the playground and in PE sessions, for example, crawling, jumping, running, hopping, arm circling, ball skills. Writing involves using a tool to make small controlled movements. This fine motor control can be developed by activities such as cutting, threading, modeling, sorting small objects, sticking, pattern-making and tracing.

Have a go! – Finger exercises Finger to thumb, finger disco, rolling a pen Rounds with your wrists Finger football with; paper, cotton, marbles etc Squeezing sponges http://www.teachhandwriting.co.uk/hand-finger-games-improve-handwriting.html

Getting ready to write – pencil grip There are several stages that a child goes through before being able to write fluently using a tripod pencil grip. Children develop the larger muscles of their trunk and arms before the smaller muscles in their hands.

With the tip facing downwards – movement coming from the shoulder. 2 1 3 With the tip facing downwards – movement coming from the shoulder. With the pencil in the palm of the hand using the thumb to secure it. The pencil is held with the five fingers like a dart – movement now comes from a wrist initially followed by some finger movement. What stage is your child at…?

The tripod grip Your child will usually start to use the three finger, or tripod grip, by the age of 5. Initially the fingers will be held rigidly but, as your child improves their control of the finger muscles, the fingers will start to move the pencil. Let’s have a go! http://www.teachhandwriting.co.uk/tips-forming-tripod-grip.html

Grip aids There are lots of lots of resources out there to help our child develop the right pencil grip. Various pencil grips Stabilo pencils DIY solution: Cotton wool or small ball

Before the children can join their letters, they should be taught letter formation.

Getting ready to write – handwriting position

Getting ready to write – paper position

Once the children can form their letters correctly, they are taught how to join their letters. Many children who print regularly confuse capital letters and small letters in their writing: this is far less likely to happen if they write in a joined script from the start. As a general rule, children who print are poorer spellers than those who join. http://www.teachhandwriting.co.uk/continuous-cursive-letters-beginners.html

The order of teaching the lower case letter shapes. Have a go! Write your name using this script. What letters do you need to practice?

Getting ready to write – bring in the children… Remember the correct sitting position Before we start our handwriting sessions we always do a warm up exercise to focus the body and mind. Position the paper or whiteboard Have a go! Handouts and any questions (Powerpoint will go on blog)