Did you know that one of the most important tools for success is a good pencil/pen grip? It increases the speed and fluency of writing. Furthermore, research has shown the greater the quantity of work produced, the better the quality. Most children are taught the dynamic tripod grip when they start school – pencil held … Read more
Parents often notice when something does not look right about their child’s handwriting, but knowing what to focus on is harder than it seems. Size and neatness are the things most people look at first – but they are only part of the picture, and focusing on them too early can lead to unnecessary worry. … Read more
Every letter your child will write begins with eight shapes. The sequence is backed by decades of research, but the ages at which each shape appears vary widely for every child. Here is what the evidence actually shows, why simple drawings do not mean low ability, and how to support your child’s mark-making development without pressure.
Research shows that writing by hand activates brain areas responsible for reading, memory and idea generation in ways that typing cannot replicate. So why are children arriving at school with weaker fine motor skills than ever before — and what can parents and teachers do about it?
The government says limit screens for under-fives. Here is what children should be doing instead.
What the brain science says about writing by hand — and why typing is not a replacement for children.
The government’s Writing Framework in plain English. Six key changes for every age group, from reception to secondary — what parents and teachers actually need to know.
The developmental evidence behind our approach — and why checking too early can do more harm than good.
The surprising cognitive milestone hidden in your child’s earliest marks — and why it matters for everything that comes next.
Before children learn their letters, something important happens in their brain. Discover the cognitive shift that separates drawing from writing – and why it matters for your toddler.
The early years shape everything that follows. By the age of five, ninety per cent of a child’s brain development has already happened. How that time is spent – the experiences, the interactions, the opportunities to explore – lays the foundation for learning, relationships and resilience. For parents navigating the early years, the choices can … Read more