Handwriting help for 1st and 2nd graders
Your 1st or 2nd grader writes, but it is slow, messy or hard to read. At this age the cause is usually a few habits: letters started in the wrong place, sizes mixed up and words too close together. Fixing those few habits helps more than lots of copying.
For: Parents, 1st and 2nd grade teachers and occupational therapists
A cover page with the plan, then 8 worksheets in order (9 pages). Free, no sign-up.
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Save to PinterestWhy it happens
- Letters that are started at the bottom or drawn in pieces are slower and less neat, and the habit gets stronger with every page written.
- When letter sizes are mixed up, words are hard to recognize.
- Writing faster for longer school work makes these problems more visible.
What helps
- Check the start of the most-used letters: a, d, g, o (start like c) and b, h, m, n, p, r (start at the top).
- Work on one habit at a time, for a week.
- Short copywork of good sentences, rather than long pages.
- Praise what improves; older children often feel bad about their writing.
The planstep by step.
1Week 1: starts and sizes
Relearn the start of the magic c and down-up-over letters, then the three sizes.
2Week 2: spacing and copywork
Spaces between words, then short sentences and every letter of the alphabet.
Questions
Questions about handwriting help for older kids
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Related packs
The LetterSchool app
Between worksheets: practise in the app
The same letter shapes as this sheet, with instant feedback on every line, animations and stars. Children play, and learn the right formation.