Handwriting and Spelling

Handwriting

Help your child to see writing skills not only as fun, but as something important and to be proud of.  It’s easier to get into good handwriting habits early on than to correct later.  Teachers will model how to form letters correctly, so that children can eventually acquire a fluent and legible handwriting style.  These skills develop over a long period of time.

A child’s ability to form a letter correctly is a separate skill from phonics.  Holding a pencil needs considerable co-ordination, and practice in making small movements with hands and fingers.  Games that help co-ordination include throwing a ball at a target, skipping, throwing a Frisbee and bouncing a ball.  Cutting, tracing, threading beads and completing puzzles – all help with hand-eye co-ordination.  It is also important that children hold a pencil properly as they write.  The ‘pincer’ movement can be practiced by using tongs, tweezers or pegs.

Spelling

A copy of the spelling patterns taught in years 4, 5 and 6 can be seen by clicking on the links below.