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Name Writing

Children should have many opportunities to practice writing their names, but they should not be expected to write on lined paper. In fact, writing on things other than paper is a great idea. Kids can use their fingers to “write” in a sand tray or use a paintbrush to write on an easel. They can use sidewalk chalk to practice writing letters outside. Kids love to use smelly markers or even whipped cream to write on tables. Be creative—find different ways for children to practice forming their letters and have fun at the same time!

As children learn to write, teachers should pay attention to the way they form their letters. The focus should be on the process they use to get there, not the look of their finished product. When children learn to write letters by simply copying from a model, they quite often learn (and practice) incorrect letter formation habits. These errors can be very hard to break later on. Starting from the bottom of the page is the most common error; forming letters from right to left is also quite common. If children learn correct formation from the beginning, later problems can be eliminated. This will lead to more and better-written expression as they get older. Again, when children are learning to write, the focus should be on the process (writing top to bottom and left to right), not the product.