Handwriting patterns - FAQs

Straight line patterns

Learning to move the pencil up, down, left and right in straight lines using different start and finish points. These types of line are needed to write letters such as i, l, t, H, F and T.

Curve patterns

Learning to move the pencil in clockwise and anticlockwise curved lines using different start and finish points. These types of lines are needed to write letters such as c, e, o, G, Q and S.

Tunnel patterns

Learning to move the pencil in one movement to combine straight and curved lines using different start and finish points. These lines are needed for letters such as n, m, b, U, P and D.

Diagonal patterns

Learning to move the pencil up, down, left and right in diagonal lines using different start and finish points. These types of lines are needed for letters such as k, v, w, A, X and Z.

Join patterns

Learning to move the pencil in one movement to combine line types to practise the strokes needed to join the cursive and continuous cursive single letter fonts.

Why teach handwriting patterns?

Pre-handwriting patterns help a child to learn the shapes and directional pushes and pulls of the writing tools required to form letters. All letters are a combination of these shapes and lines. Teaching the pre-handwriting patterns in groups can make it easier, as the child can concentrate on specific directional pushes and pulls.

When should I start teaching patterns?

Young children learn many of the directional pushes, pulls and changes in direction needed to form letters on a much larger scale, long before they pick up a pencil, through playing with cars or pretending to cook.

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The age at which to start a more formal approach to teaching handwriting patterns varies and is dependent on your child's fine motor skills ability. Some children can be taught from 4 years old while others may be 5 or 6 years old.

How should I teach the patterns?

Make pattern sessions short and sweet. If you try to make them too long a child will become bored and reluctant to do more. As their confidence and skills improve so will the amount of time they are happy to spend learning and practising their patterns.
In the early stages of learning to form pre-handwriting patterns use a range of pencils, chalks, crayons and paints on both vertical and horizontal surfaces. The important thing is to show, and talk through with, your child how to make the patterns using the correct directional movements.
Once your child is able to create the patterns on plain paper at a size that is close to our free Level 0 Worksheets they are ready to progress to these.
As your child's pattern size reduces move to the next lined height paper - don't try to jump too quickly as your child will not be ready and this could put them off.

Which pattern group should we start with?

Teach the patterns in the following order:
1. Straights: 1 to 6
2. Curves: 1 to 8
3. Tunnels: 1 to 6
4. Diagonals: 1 to 8
5. Straights: 7 to 9
6. Curves: 9 to 16
7. Tunnels: 7 to 10
8. Diagonals: 9 to 14
9. Joins: 1 to 9
Alternatively you can start with patterns your child is already starting to use in their scribbles and drawings, as it will build their confidence and encourage them to try harder patterns later.

What type of paper should we use?

With young and pre-school children you don't want to restrict the size of their movements. Large sheets of plain paper or large chalk boards are best.
Once they can form the patterns at close to our free Level 0 Worksheets line height they are ready to start using these.
For older children plain lined paper can be used but make sure the line height is right for your child.

When should we move to letters?

Once the pre-handwriting patterns have been mastered a child will have the skill base necessary, and be more confident, to form letters, numbers and symbols.

At this stage size is not important. If your child can draw the pre-handwriting patterns accurately they are ready to move on to letters. As their gross and fine motor skills develop their writing will get smaller.