Before learning to write, it is important that children practice tracing and drawing with a pencil to gain basic pencil-control skills. These activities lead to the ability to form letters and numbers. Progressing from straight vertical lines to more challenging lines, such as curved, zigzag, and diagonal, EarTwiggle’s Pre-Writing Practice Workbook gives your child the opportunity to trace and draw in a fun and motivating format.
Our EarTwiggle's Pre-writing Practice workbook assumes that your child can draw simple lines with a pencil. A short, soft pencil is easier for small children to hold. If your child is not yet accustomed to using a pencil, a crayon is a good starting tool.
Holding a pencil properly can be difficult for a child who does not yet have enough strength in his or her hands and fingers. Help your child use relaxed rather than cramped movements as he or she writes. Demonstrate how to properly grip the pencil between the thumb and pointer finger, letting the pencil rest on the middle finger. Teach this skill gradually so that your child retains interest and does not become overly tired. To help your child relax, have him or her shake the hands, make drawings in the air, or roll a piece of clay inside the hands.
Keep the writing lesson short — five to fifteen minutes is plenty of time for practice. Stretch the amount of pencil time by incorporating drawing and coloring.
Give a lesson daily, or at least three times a week with our fun pre-writing skill worksheets.
