Welcome to SmoothStart Handwriting.
Do you want to improve the handwriting in your school? Do you struggle to prioritise a 30 minute handwriting session every day into an already jam-packed time table?
Fluent handwriting is a fundamental skill for every child. Early research links handwriting automaticity with more efficient writing development and later academic skills. Research recommends that handwriting is taught daily and intentionally with clear modelling. Teaching should build from gross/fine motor skills to letter formation to handwriting fluency.
SmoothStart Handwriting incorporates handwriting into English learning to strengthen the links between reading, spelling and writing skills, set high expectations and ensure handwriting can be taught daily in an already stretched time table.
SmoothStart Handwriting has created a Long Term Progression Map to outline which letters/sounds/words are taught week by week from EYFS to Y6. Children in EYFS will start with Mark Making, patterns and gross motor skills before moving to letter formation. Letter formation is then revisited and secured by the end of year 1. Cursive handwriting is introduced in year 2 (for children who are ready). The map identifies 2-3 letters per week to allow letters to be repeated.
Once Letter Formation is secured, children move on to writing sounds. The sounds progress in line with Little Wandle Phonics scheme. In LKS2, letter formation and sounds are repeated and secured before moving on to year 3/4 spelling words. Year 5 and 6 prioritise year 5/6 spelling words to secure absolute fluency and reinforce key spellings.
An editable Word document is included in this download. This is used to form your handwriting starters. Teachers simply edit the letter in line with the long term map, amend the date and LC and then print ready.
PLEASE NOTE: YOU MUST CHECK YOUR MICROSOFT WORD HAS A COMPATIABLE HANDWRITING FONT BEFORE DOWNLOADING.
We recommend XCCW Joined 1a. I do not own the rights to Microsoft Word Fonts.
PowerPoint including hand/finger warm-ups with digital timer.
We recommend all year groups modelling and completing around 5 hand/finger warm-ups to improve fine motor skills and set high expectations.
Reinforce correct posture and grip before modelling handwriting.
Ready to see the difference SmoothStart handwriting can make in your classroom? Our unique approach supports children in developing confident and legible handwriting, fostering a love for writing. Join schools across the UK benefiting from our resources.
