Pre-writing and letter shape formation

For a child to be able to write and form letters properly in the future, they need initially to learn how to copy and form simple shapes. Always emphasise that work should be from 'Top to Bottom' and 'Left to Right'.

For ideas on how to help children who have difficulty writing across the page and forming diagonal shapes, see Being able to reach across my body advice sheet.

Pre-writing skills do not have to be developed by sitting at a table and doing writing tasks. Movement is a great way to teach children about shape, direction and other concepts associated with pre-writing. Try to keep the movements large and talk to the child about what they are doing in order to draw their attention to the movement.

Children learn to imitate the shape first, that is they watch an adult draw the shape first and then do it themselves. They then learn to copy a shape, which means they don't have to watch how the shape is made anymore but can form it just from looking at the pre-drawn shape.

Activities to help the development of shape formation

Feeling wooden or plastic shapes/letters with eyes open and then trying to guess what they are with eyes closed.

Tracing the shape of letters and shapes made of string or sandpaper glued onto card.

'Walking' shapes and letters on the floor or 'writing' with your finger on your child's back.

Drawing shapes and letters in the air, using a whole arm movement.

Use water and a paintbrush to paint large letters on an outside wall.

Practising drawing on a vertical surface for example a blackboard or paper pinned on the wall.

Making patterns in flour/talc/sand/shaving foam.

Potato or sponge printing.

Making shapes and letters out of play dough or pipe cleaners.

Copying activities to a defined pattern, for example peg board, fuzzy felt or block patterns.

Copy pegboard, Lego and brick designs.

Practice ‘lazy 8’s’.