Key learning points

1. Sitting position is important for handwriting.
2. A comfortable pencil grip can make handwriting easier.
3. It takes practice to be able to form a letter correctly.
4. Handwriting patterns can help prepare to form letters.
5. There are some letter formations that require you to lift the pencil to add a dot or a cross.

Keywords

• Sitting position - the way we sit when writing, with our feet on the ground, back straight, and our body balanced and comfortable in a chair

• Letter formation - the way we make each letter, starting at the top and following the correct path to create the shape of the letter.

• Pencil grip - how we hold the pencil with our fingers, making sure it feels comfortable and steady in our hand.

• Tripod grip - a special way of holding the pencil with three fingers (thumb, index, and middle fingers) that helps us write smoothly and with control.

• Tramlines - straight, parallel lines that we can use as a guide to help us write neatly and keep our letters the same size.

Common misconception