The Kinder Korner
Each week we feature information to assist parents of pre-school children in areas of school readiness.
This week we would like to continue talking about letter formation. Remember: as previously noted, it is important
to teach your child the correct letter formation from the beginning so that a child doesn’t have to “relearn” once
they enter school. We also recommend that you work on letter formation without using writing lines. After children
are forming letters correctly, then you can begin to teach handwriting using lines.
As previously mentioned, another fun and engaging suggestion for practicing writing with little ones is to have them
write in shaving cream. (The inexpensive off brand works just fine.) What makes shaving cream a great learning
tool is that it is not only a tactile activity but it engages the olfactory senses as well. Anytime a child is using more
than one of their five senses to learn a new concept the odds are increased that the new information will be
recorded in their long term memory. Shaving cream has a terrific feel and strong smell, engaging multiple senses.
The letters of focus for this we are slant stick letters. Letters, v, x, y, z, w and k all utilize a slant line. It may be
helpful for you to review the different lines a child can make: vertical, horizontal, curved, and diagonal. Practice a
few diagonal (slant) lines with them, in both directions before teaching them specific letters.
The following step by step instructions are intended to help adults understand the step by step progression of how
we would like students to write their letters. It is fine to just use the words written with illustrations while
demonstrating how to write letters when teaching youngsters.
Letter v – Start at the top and make a short, slant stick down, then slide back up. (Let them know they are moving
left to right while making letter v.)
Letter w – Start at the top and make a short slant stick down. Now, keeping your pencil on the paper, slide up, then
slant line back down then back up.
Letter x - Start at the top and make a short, slant stick down. Now, lift your pencil and go back up. Starting a little
way to the right of the top of your first line, make a short slant stick going backwards (right to left) crossing over
your first line.
Letter y – Start at the top and make a short, slant stick down. Now, lift your pencil and go back up. Starting a little
way to the right of the top of your first line, make a long slant stick going backwards (right to left) touching the
bottom of your first line and continuing down.
Letter z - Start at the top and make a short, side stick across. Now, keeping your pencil on the paper, make a short
slant stick (going right to left), then make another side stick (left to right).
Good luck!
Kinder Korner articles are archived on the District Website