Nursery World - Home learning

Handwriting is the ability to make a range of marks that form
letters. Children need a range of skills to do this, including hand-eye
co-ordination and pencil grip. They also need to develop some specific
movements that form the basis for individual letter shapes. These
include vertical lines as well as bouncing and circular motions.

These skills need to be gained through large arm movements before children can progress to paper and pen. If children are rushed through the development of movements, they are more likely to have difficulties later in producing fluent handwriting.

There are many simple activities that you can do at home to help your child develop both pencil grip and specific handwriting skills.

RHYME TIME

From three to 12 months

While no one thinks that you can teach a baby handwriting, we can help babies to sense the circular or bouncing movements that form the basis of letters such as o, a and m.

Look out for the traditional rhyme Round and Round the Garden Like a Teddy Bear, as it is great for helping your baby to 'feel' the circular movements.

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