Fine Motor Skills

Understanding the writing framework The Department for Education's new Writing Framework provides comprehensive guidance for teaching writing from Reception through Year 6, offering a research-informed approach that aligns with both national curriculum requirements [...]

Using the writing framework in reception In July 2025, the Department for Education (DfE) released the writing framework guidance for England. This document, which will likely be updated when the curriculum review is [...]

Making handwriting easier Handwriting is a complex skill, but there are tips which make learning it easier.  One of the most helpful things you can do, as a teacher or parent, is to [...]

The importance of pre-writing shapes Pre-writing shapes are the lines and shapes a child needs to be able to draw prior to learning to write letters and words.  They are the shapes which [...]

Handwriting is a complex skill Handwriting is a skill that is taught in every school. There are many approaches to teaching handwriting. Some schools focus on the cursive first approach. Others teach handwriting [...]

Pencil grasp is a complicated affair The way a child holds onto their pencil is often a focus of assessment in the early years. A mature pencil grasp supports pencil skill maturity and [...]

There's more to handwriting than meets the eye Handwriting is an incredibly complex skill.  Before children can hold a pencil, they need to be able to sit up and move their arm independently [...]