Legible and fluent handwriting is a gift that will last your child a lifetime but it's very tricky to master. In this section of the site you'll find lots of information about how your child learns to write, handwriting activities and steps to better handwriting, as well as advice on how to help your child through each of the handwriting stages – from patterning to printing to joined-up (cursive).
From first marks to confident cursive: Expert advice and handwriting practice worksheets
There are lots of engaging and colourful handwriting worksheets for your child to practise with, from pre-handwriting and writing the letters of the alphabet (uppercase and lowercase) to fluent and legible joined-up handwriting. Plus we have a collection of handwriting advice videos for parents, created in conjunction with the National Handwriting Association, with expert tips on topics including the dynamic tripod grip, left-handed writing tips and correct letter formation. Our downloadable handwriting practice sheets will help your child master getting letters to sit on the line, use of finger spaces and starting the letter at the right point.
You can also follow a step-by-step Handwriting programme, a course of over 200 worksheets that will take your child from the first stages of writing right through to being able to write in a fluent, joined-up style, and explore our brilliant handwriting packs and eBooks for each stage: The Handwriting Patterns Playbook and Early Handwriting Skills for Nursery & Reception, Handwriting Skills for KS1 and the Handwriting Power-Up Programme for KS2.
Articles
Common handwriting problems and solutions
Illegible handwriting? Huge letters? Strange pencil grip? Struggles with left-handed writing? If your child is finding handwriting hard, perhaps it’s one of these four issues. Find out more about how to tackle these common problems with advice from the National Handwriting Association's Angela Webb.
Handwriting practice: what all parents need to know
If you’re worried about your child’s handwriting and want to help them improve, you’re not alone – handwriting is an essential skill, but we all have to learn it, and it’s a very complex task. Legible, neat handwriting takes lots of practice – here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re working with your child at home.
Video: The dynamic tripod grasp explained
Video advice and tips to help establish a good handwriting position, including details of the dynamic tripod grasp (the ideal hand position for writing) and why it's best for children to hold their pencil in this way when they're writing.
Worksheets
Curly caterpillar letters cursive handwriting practice
Grab some felt tips and settle down for some handwriting practice! Our cursive patterning worksheets help children develop their 'joined-up' writing skills by encouraging smooth, flowing movements and shapes that are consistent in size and setting.
Handwriting practice sheets
Help your child form letters at the correct relative size and place them correctly on the 'base' writing line with our free printable handwriting practice sheets. Two formats with guidelines are included, one for beginner writers and one to help children improve their handwriting skills.
Handwriting high frequency words
Boost handwriting and spelling skills with this worksheet. The focus is on some of the high-frequency words your child will learn to read, spell and write in Reception and Year 1; letter formation guides and dotted line versions are provided to help them practise.
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The Handwriting Learning Journey is a course of over 200 worksheets that will take your child from the first stages of writing – known as patterning – right through to being able to write in a fluent, joined-up style.
Handwriting is an essential skill, but we all have to learn it, and it’s a very complex task. Legible, neat handwriting takes lots of practice and it isn’t just learning the alphabet – fine motor skills, hand eye co-ordination and an interest in putting pen to paper are essential as your child develops their skills. The final goal is for handwriting to become an automatic skill, so your child can concentrate on what, and not how, they are writing.
Handwriting advice videos for parents
Working with the National Handwriting Association, TheSchoolRun has produced 21 videos to offer advice on different aspects of handwriting development and learning. Whether you need to help your child hold their pencil correctly or want to check the correct formation for every letter of the alphabet, watch our experts to find out what you need to know.
Cursive / joined-up writing: everything parents need to know
Joined-up or cursive writing is encouraged in schools; from parent information about cusive writing to techniques to help develop a fluent joined-up style and free handwriting worksheets, we offer advice and suggestions to help you help your child with handwriting at home.
Before children are able to start writing letters and words their hands and muscles need to get used to producing marks on paper. Our Patterns playbook offers your child the opportunity to practise common writing patterns in preparation for handwriting letters at age 4 or 5. It's also a fun way to encourage an older child has trouble writing particular letters. Can they make some waves, draw some curly baby hair and decorate a birthday cake with Smarties, all while doing some vital handwriting practice?
Handwriting is a crucial life skill, but how can you help your child write neatly and legibly? Our eight-week handwriting learning pack is packed with information and tips from handwriting experts, as well as fun and practical steps you can take to help your child put theory into practice.
Michelle van Rooyen, an occupational therapist and handwriting expert, uses her skills and years of experience to provide an incredibly useful and incredibly fun book to help you along the mark-making, handwriting journey — all at a pace that suits your child.
Packed with advice and practical exercises, the Handwriting Power-up Programme covers letter shapes and spaces, letter sizes and joins, letter slopes and speed, posture, style and stamina.
Our Ready Steady Go handwriting eBook will support your KS1 child in a playful way, beginning at the right place and working at their own pace.
