I’m often asked how I introduce very young children to letter formation, and this is what I recommend!

Watch the video above to see a wonderful Reception teacher helping children form letters during Term 1. You’ll also see me introducing this for the first time to a group of 3- and 4-year-olds in Kindy (the Aussie version of nursery).

I’ve laminated the cards so the children can trace the letters on top, using the phrases to guide the correct starting and exit points. This is really important. The pen or pencil should flow through the letter with as few lifts off the page as possible.

The flick at the end helps children keep moving, and many will naturally develop their own style, with several letters beginning to join. We’re not teaching cursive, of course, but we are setting children up to write quickly and comfortably, in a way that suits their slant, handedness, and chosen size.

Although they may later be told how to form letters or how big they should be, starting in the right place and including the exit stroke (the flick) helps them progress towards stress-free writing. 
Miss Emma