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My son loves using technology and getting him to pick up a pencil to complete his homework was a challenge. When he wrote it was often tricky to read his writing. He formed some letters incorrectly, reversed others and often missed out finger spaces.
Having taught for 15 years, I wanted to use my experience to support him at home. I knew I needed to make it fun and not feel like a handwriting lesson if I would succeed in getting him to engage!
After a few days of trying out some of the activities, his teacher asked if we had been working on letter formation at home because she had seen an improvement in his handwriting and confidence when writing. When I mentioned this to him, he said “We haven’t done any handwriting at home”. We had, but he just hadn't realised that all the games and activities we played were to develop his handwriting! We continued with the activities, and he received notes home and certificates and his confidence improved so much.
He still loves to play on the Play Station, but now he also loves to play family games that include writing and never moans when it’s time to do his homework!
About Me
I'm Anna and I have a degree in Primary Education and 15 years of teaching experience. I have taught in both Reception where children develop their gross and fine motor skills and learn how to form letters through to Year 2 where I have taught children to write using joined-up handwriting.
During lockdown, I became a teacher to my own two children (which is much harder!) and shared the learning we did together on my Instagram account which has grown to over 49K followers.
I set up Mini Writers Club to share activities and resources to help you support your child with phonics, reading and writing. I want to show you how to help your child write clearly and legibly.
When I'm not busy working on Mini Writers Club, you can find me trying to get on top of the laundry! I have made sure the activities are quick and easy so that you can fit them into your week.
What is included?
1. Pencil Grip
Hands-on activities are designed to help your child develop their pencil grip with tips to help them progress through the different stages.
2. Letter Formation
Letters are grouped by similar movements to prevent letter reversals with tips for supporting left-handed writers.
3. Writing Letters
Letters are introduced without using a pencil and then practised in a variety of ways to make handwriting fun.
4. Writing for a Purpose
Writing games are included to help engage your child and enable them to become a more fluent writer.
FAQs
How much does it cost to join Handwriting Club?
Handwriting Club is part of the Mini Writers Club subscription which is £10 per month. You also get access to all of the other clubs. You can join for as little or as long as your like and can cancel at any time.
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What is the format of the content?
The activities are available as written posts on the website or the app. On the app, you can mark when you have done an activity so you can keep track and easily see the ones you haven't tried. You can dip in and out and work through the activities at your own pace. New activities will be added each week.
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What age is Handwriting Club for?
Children that have started to learn what letters look like and are beginning to write them. It is also suitable for children that can write but whose letters are inconsistent in shape, size or formed incorrectly. It is aimed at children in Reception and above.
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If your child hasn't started to learn letters yet, check out the Pre-Writers Club which contains lots of activities to get your child's hands ready to write.
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Do I need a printer?
Most of the activities are designed to be hands-on and practical and don't require a printer. The letter formation sheets are available as printable pdfs but can also be accessed on a device or as a video. Some of the writing activities have printable pdfs but they could be recreated using a pen and paper if you don't have access to a printer.
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What style of writing is covered?
Handwriting Club focuses on print as shown in the example below.
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The Department for Education (DfE) guidance states that "All resources designed for children to read should be in print". It is important that children learn to form the letters correctly and consistently before learning to join. If children are able to form lower-case letters in the correct direction, starting and finishing in the right place there is no need to add lead in strokes. Adding lead-in strokes as seen in the pre-cursive style can make it more difficult for emerging writers, who often go back and add the flicks after they have written the letters.
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Some schools still teach pre-cursive so letter formation phrases in a pre-cursive style are also included.
