Teaching the basics of handwriting is usually a skill saved for primary school. But some children just want to learn; and showing them the right way from the start is very important.
Not just making the correct shapes, but in the correct order is vital to fluidity and automation of handwriting.
ACG Sunderland Preschool is open to exploring areas that parents are particularly interested in for their pre-schoolers.
One of these areas is handwriting.
Preschool Manager Natasha Bleach researched various concepts and found one perfect for Preschools, Casey the Caterpillar handwriting programme.
Shaping letters
“Based around shapes the Caterpillar creates forms the basic shapes for small letters. For example tall stick and open mouth combined creates the letter ‘d’. The children are so excited by it that they just fly when they see what they can achieve when they have got the tools,” she said.
Natasha said that the programme is simple and allows children to quickly grasp the concepts through clever storytelling.
Children begin by being read the story of ‘Casey the Caterpillar,’ where the children are encouraged to recognise specific shapes.
The next step is where the letter strokes are introduced, through the next story ‘The Magic Caterpillar.’
“We do not push the children to write, but those who want to learn are given the tools. They are such sponges at this age and the concepts sink in surprisingly quickly. The children see the results, which give them a real boost. Writing is the next step for them to express their creativity. We’re delighted to enable them in this transition,” Natasha said.
The programme has been a great success for ACG Sunderland Preschool.
Now when children ask to write something, a teacher can easily assist a child with the shapes that makes letters for each word.
It is a simple concept, but one that captures the children’s imagination and allows their brains to connect the dots with the motor skills required to write.
These children are now equipped with another essential skill that will make the transition to school one little bit easier.
