Handwriting

Handwriting and Presentation

“Handwriting is more than just a means of communication; it is a window into the mind and a reflection of one’s personality.”

At St Julian’s Primary School, we value the importance of clear and confident handwriting as a vital skill for learning and communication. We follow a structured approach to handwriting development, helping children to form letters correctly, develop fluency, and take pride in the presentation of their work. Through regular practice, we encourage consistency in letter size, spacing, and joining, ensuring that all pupils can write neatly and at a comfortable speed. Handwriting is taught in a fun and engaging way, supporting fine motor skills and building confidence. We celebrate progress and encourage children to take care in their written work, as good handwriting is a skill that benefits them throughout their education and beyond.

Stages of Development – Pen/Pencil Grip

Stage 1 - Whole-hand grasp: using a fisted hand
This is typically how children hold a pencil/pen/crayon at 1-2 years old. They use most of their upper body muscles and movement comes mainly from the shoulder with the arm moving as a unit.
Stage 2 - Beginning to use the fingers: no longer using whole-hand grasp
At 2–3 years old children begin to use the forearm to control the pen/pencil/crayon. Movement is still quite stiff but there may be some wrist movement.
Stage 3 - Holds pencil between thumb and two fingers
By the age of around 3–4 years old, children begin to show the crude beginnings of the tripod grip. The hand tends to move as a unit, with limited wrist movement. Children at this stage need more experiences that will strengthen their muscles (cutting, working with dough etc.) to develop fine motor skills and increase readiness for a precision pen hold.
Stage 4 - Moving towards the tripod grip.
At the age of around 4–6 years old, we expect pupils to be holding their pencil near the point between first two fingers and thumb and use it with good control. They now begin to use their fingers and wrist to control movement of the pencil, holding it at a slight angle. They begin to move to a comfortable and efficient tripod grip: a precise three-way or tripod use of thumb, index and middle fingers.

What We Expect

Nursery

Pick up small objects with finger and thumb and start to hold writing implements appropriately, using pincer grip.

Demonstrate an understanding of the directionality of written print.

Identify letter sounds through exploration of their shape using tactile letter forms and multi-sensory play activities.

Reception

Hold writing instruments appropriately

Write from left to right.

Discriminate between letters.

Distinguish between upper-and lower-case letters.

Use correct initial consonant by beginning to apply phonic knowledge.

Use familiar and high-frequency words in writing.

Year 1

Form upper and lower-case letters that are usually clearly shaped and correctly orientated.

Use capital letters and full stops with some degree of consistency.

Year 2

Form upper- and lower-case letters accurately and with consistent size.

Use capital letters, full stops and question marks accurately and sometimes use exclamation marks.

Year 3

Produce legible handwriting and present work appropriately joining letters in some words.

Year 4

Produce handwriting which is clear and legible and may be cursive.

Year 5

Produce legible, cursive handwriting with increasing fluency.

Year 6

Produce fluent and legible handwriting.

Handwriting

Handwriting and Presentation

Stages of Development – Pen/Pencil Grip

Stage 1 - Whole-hand grasp: using a fisted hand

Stage 2 - Beginning to use the fingers: no longer using whole-hand grasp

Stage 3 - Holds pencil between thumb and two fingers

Stage 4 - Moving towards the tripod grip.