It’s really important that your child is feeling comfortable when they are writing. In order to achieve this, they need to know know how to hold their pencil correctly (Froggy fingers) and how to use their other hand (the ‘helping hand’) to steady their paper and place it at the correct angle. Only then will they feel comfortable and ready to write!
Here are a few things I do with my child:
Helping Hand
First, I draw a smiley face on my child’s non writing hand to remind him that this is his ‘helping hand’. The ‘helping hand’ supports the writing hand by positioning the paper at the correct angle and holding the paper still. This allows the child to write steadily.
Froggy Fingers
Then I remind my child to use ‘Froggy Fingers’ when he picks up his pencil and I say “show me your Froggy Fingers!” Froggy fingers refers to your child’s pencil grip.
Snappy Fingers 
Snappy Fingers shut 
Frog on a log – Froggy Legs
The video below shows my son demonstrating the pencil grip (Froggy Fingers in steps).
Being comfortable
Next, I always ask my child the following questions to check that he is comfortable before he starts to write:
- Are you sitting comfortably with both feet flat on the floor?
- Are you sitting comfortably with your back against the chair?
- Is your paper at the correct angle?
- Have you got support from your helping hand?
- Are you holding you pencil correctly? (Froggy Fingers)
- Now lets get writing!
Handwriting Jingles
Lastly, it is important for you to know the letter formation jingles that your schools teaches your child. You can then refer to them when supporting your child to write. Below are the jingles we use by Ruth Miskin from the Read Write Inc Scheme.
One final note and video
It is important that you remind your child of all the above whilst they are writing.
Here’s a short video of me trying to support my child with his writing task this morning!
