Pre writing skill

Almost every preschool website has its own version of "tracing worksheets". Almost every dollar store and superstore has for sale a "letter workbook". Most moms have the idea that this is the method kids should use to learn to write their letters and numbers. But, if you have ever tried this approach, you know it can be frustrating for everyone involved. Tracing worksheets have their place and can be great learning tool for some children, I have just found a process that has worked better for our kiddos.
While working with our occupational therapist, I have learned a lot about teaching our kiddos how to write their letters and numbers. I have learned that it is all about a process. Each level is a building block for the next level. It isn't until after they have learned the proper formation of the letters and numbers, that tracing worksheets are introduced. And even then, I had to discover the "perfect" tracing worksheets.Beginning writers need larger letters and thicker lines to learn how to correctly form letters. The famous tracing worksheets do not offer this. Using start and stop dots along with spacial boxes, a child is guided as they learn. Using this sequence along with the Letter Formation Chants and Number Rhymes will help your child succeed!

Step #1 - Holding a Pencil Correctly

The first step to nice handwriting is a correctly pencil hold. To help teach this, place a kleenex or small sponge in the child's palm. Have the child hold the kleenex or sponge with their ring and little finger. Then, using a "fat" pencil, help the child hold the pencil with their thumb and first two fingers. Having to hold the kleenex as well as the pencil will help the child keep the correct form.
Helping the child hold a pencil correctly begins half way through the 2 Year Curriculum. At this point, some children will not be ready for this activity and that is okay. Be careful not to frustrate the child while doing this activity. Continue to work on fine motor activities to increase the child's fine motor control.

Step #2 - Pre-Writing

If your child can not follow a straight, diagonal, or circular line, they will not be able to form letters. Using a yellow marker or highlighter, draw 3" vertical lines. Move to horizontal, diagonal, and circles as your child is ready. Add a green dot for "go" and a red dot for "stop". Help them place their pencil on the green dot, draw along the yellow, and stop at the red dot.

    

The ABCJLM Pre-Writing Worksheets are also available to print.
Straight Lines Worksheet
Horizontal Lines Worksheet
Diagonal Lines Worksheet
Drawing Lines Review Worksheet
Circular Lines Worksheet

Pre-Writing Worksheets can also be helpful. These worksheets teach a child the concept of tracing lines. I would suggest that you trace the lines with a thick yellow marker (to make them wider) along with adding the green and red dots at the beginning and the end.
Lil Bunny Hops
Kidzone
Preschool Learner Pre-Writing Worksheets

Step #3 - 3" Letters

Once the child has mastered the basic lines and circles, you can move to Step #2. Using a thick yellow marker or highlighter, draw 3" tall letters or numbers across a horizontal paper. Start with just one character on a page at a time. Add a green dot at the starting point of each character and a red dot at the finishing point. Most letters have more than one starting and ending point. Just draw the first starting and ending point. Once the formation is mastered, take away the yellow line, red dot and then finally the green dot. Progress to smaller and thinner lines. Be sure to say the Letter Formation Chants and Number Rhymes as you form the characters. These will help the child learn and remember the correct formation.

The 3 Year Curriculum focuses on tracing the letters with the index finger until the second half of the curriculum. At that point, the child slowly begins to write their name using capital letters only. Follow the same process as stated here using the letters in their name.

Step #4 - Large Tracing Lines

After the child is able to correctly form the 3" characters with the green starting dot only, place the characters on the classic tracing lines. I color-coded the lines to help in the letter formation. The middle line is green since many lower case letters start on the middle line and end on the bottom (red) line. The top line is blue. Draw the characters in yellow with the added the green and red dots for each letter and number. For this step, take away the yellow line first, red dot second, and finally the green dot when the child is ready.
Start with the wider lines and progress to the small lines.
Blank Tracing Line Worksheet - Wide
1" Blank Tracing Line Worksheet - Medium
3/4" Blank Tracing Line Worksheet - Narrow
Now you are ready to work on keeping the letter uniform. For this I have created tracing worksheets.

Step #5 - ABCJLM Tracing Worksheets

All of the ABCJLM worksheets are created in four ways to help children improve fine motor skills and handwriting: 
1. Letters or Numbers - These are the basic worksheets with a place to copy over the letter or number and then write it.
2. With Boxes - Beside each letter or number is a box that gives the child a specific space to write the letter.
3. With Green Dots - The green dot shows the child where to begin the letter.
4. With Green & Red Dots - Inside each box is a green and red dot. The green dot shows the child where to lay their pencil while the red dot means stop. Best printed in color but can be printed with black dots if the colors are no longer needed.Worksheets:
ABC Worksheets - These worksheets include both uppercase and lowercase letters.
Number Worksheets - Numbers 1-20
Letter & Number Progression - These worksheets group letters and numbers together to help the child see the connection between the formation of similar letters and numbers. These worksheets are the basis for the 4-Year Curriculum letter and number order.
Links:
Printable Worksheets - Links to free printable worksheets and sites that allow you to create your own handwriting worksheets
Downloadable Font - Download handwriting font to your computer. This allows you to make your own handwriting worksheets.
Ebook: Handwriting Ebooks Review to come soon!Misc: