January 27, 2021 | Bridget O'Dowd
Before sitting down to write, children start with an exercise of taking one leg up and crossing arms across to touch the outside of the raised leg. We sing the alphabet and do one leg for each letter.
This exercise is a practice in crossing the midline for the children. This promotes the coordination of the left and right hemispheres of the brain. |
The teacher models the formation of the letter, repeating specific language that accompanies the directions to form each letter. This verbal path helps students understand the directional movement for each letter and make visual connections within letter families. Students practice following a specific routine: “wet-dry-try.
Next, students prepare to write.
Students start stomping their feet. This helps their feet be on the floor and parallel to them.
Next, students wave their arms in the air. This helps make their trunks straight. |
Did you noticed the books at a slight angle?
This helps children follow the natural arc of the writing hand. The right-handed children put the right corner higher. The left-handed children put the left corner higher.
When writing, students are encouraged to check their posture, their pencil grip, and to use the other hand to hold the paper.
Ask your child: “What letter did you write today?” “I wonder what words begin with that letter.”