The Writing Desk
A pencil, a quiet minute, and one letter at a time.
Print first, join up when you are ready — there is no rush and no race. Letters are learned in families that move the same way, and every sheet can be printed for real paper and a real pencil.
Warm up first
- 1. Wiggle your fingers like rain, then squeeze a soft ball five times.
- 2. Draw big lines in the air: down, across, round like a ball.
- 3. Hold your pencil like a pinch — pointer and thumb, resting on your middle finger.
- 4. Sit tall, feet flat, your other hand holds the paper still.
Printing
Clear, upright letters built from sticks and circles. Most children start here.
Why we learn it: Printed letters look like the letters in books, so printing and reading help each other grow.
How we know it helps: Write the same word today and again after a week of practice. Put the two side by side — your own pages are the evidence, and you only compare with yourself.
Letter families
Letters that move the same way are learned together.
Make a practice sheet
Uses the "Straight-stick letters" words, or type your own — a name, a pet, a favourite word.
Printing · Straight-stick letters — trace the grey letters, then write your own on the empty lines.
l i t L I T E F H
it lit tilt LIFT
it lit tilt LIFT
it lit tilt LIFT
Slow and steady — your hand is learning.