✏️ Developing Handwriting in EYFS

Throughout the year, we will support the children to develop the strength, coordination and control they need to become confident writers. In EYFS, handwriting begins with developing the physical skills needed for writing before children are expected to form letters independently.

We will focus on developing gross and fine motor skills, including core strength, shoulder stability, hand strength, pencil control and a comfortable pencil grip. Through activities such as dough disco, threading, tweezers, cutting, painting, drawing and mark-making, children will build the muscles and coordination needed for writing.

As the year progresses, we will develop children's pre-writing patterns, letter formation and handwriting skills, supporting them to form letters accurately and consistently. We will encourage children to develop good habits, including sitting comfortably, holding their pencil correctly and forming letters using the correct starting points.

By the end of the year, we aim for children to be increasingly confident in using their developing handwriting skills within their independent writing, while recognising that every child's writing journey develops at their own pace.

✏️ Our Handwriting Planning

Below, you can see our handwriting planning for the year and how we develop the children’s skills progressively over time. This shows how we build from developing fine motor control and early mark-making skills through to accurate letter formation and independent writing. We use Lancashire's Red Rose ditties to form our letters correctly.