Fine-Motor Skills and Pre-handwriting Shapes

Before being developmentally ready to learn to write letters, children are exposed to a range of Fine-Motor skill activities, particularly in our Early Years. Following this, children are encouraged to practise and accurately execute the pre-handwriting shapes. The pre-handwriting shapes form the basis for all letter formation and regular practice of these, even when children have already begun to learn to write letters, is beneficial.

Letter Formation

Children begin learning letter formation, in Reception and Year 1, as printed letters. Before children start joining, initial focus is to ensure letters are formed accurately, at the correct relative size to one another and in the right direction. It is important that children are beginning and ending their letters in the correct place to enable them to begin joining in Year 2.

At Coten End we use Letter Formation Rhymes to support the teaching of correct formation. These rhymes have attractive pictures and catchy phrases that enable children to retain their instruction for how to form their letters. These are taught as part of phonics and handwriting lessons and the resources are accessible to all children during all writing opportunities. 

Letter Formation Rhymes - Sound Mat

• Level 2 and 3 letter formation rhyme sound mat (3).pdf

Letter Families

Letters are introduced and practised in their 'Letter Families'. Letter families have a similar motion when forming each of their letters which helps support children to form their letters in the correct direction.

• Long Ladder Letters

• Curly Caterpillar Letters

• One-Armed Robot Letters

• Zig-Zag Monster Letters

Joining

Once children are completely secure in their printed letter formation, they can begin to join strings of letters together to increase their speed and fluency. Children generally begin to join during Year 2 onwards.