How to help 7 yr old with writing+get letters more uniform in size?

[Tensmumym]

My 7 year old in year 2 is struggling to get the size of her letters right when she writes. Can anyone recommend tips to help? I was thinking maybe a lined guide? If anyone has used one could you tell me where you got it? Thanks.

My ds likes writing on squared paper. It does seem to make it neater.

My dd, also 7, has 'dotted thirds' paper that is coloured.

So some letters go in the 'grass' area that is green. Letters that don't go above or below the line like e n c

And some go above into the blue area like k

And some are ground letters and go below like g

It's really helped her. I've got a handwriting book too which helps with formation but the dotted thirds have been the most help with the sizing.

I don't live in the uk but I imagine you can get it there too.

kidstherapynetwork.bluecentral.com/viewimage.aspx?src=I146332.jpg

A link to the books so you can see what I am talking about.

Thanks very much for your replies. Savoy - thanks for the link. I can't quite see the name of the book. Is it Colourpod?

With time and practice it should get better. Do they have handwriting lessons at school? They must be using special lined paper there. You can find workbooks with same kind of lining, or download it. Here is one website where you can find examples:

www.activityvillage.co.uk/printable-lined-paper

DD1's hw worsened after they started doing joined up writing in Y1 and it took almost a year to get to some sort of uniformal size. In the process she experimented with different looking styles, including some very small and illegible.

or you could try drawing a line using a broad highlighter pen. She needs to keep small letters inside the highlighted area and tall letters should touch the line above

It's Colourpad but I think that's just the name of the ones that the occupational therapist that I went to with dd has given them.

You could try googling coloured dotted thirds or maybe ground, grass and sky handwriting.

Writing on a single line is nonsense for this age and I just can't understand that no teacher insists on decent paper.

We use the mentioned three lined paper at home and also for homework in YR and Y1 and just glued it into the homework book.

I am from Germany where children write on these papers until they are in, what is here Y5 and developed a decent handwriting.

We also use this for additional practise and while if looks not very exciting, doing it once a week made a huge difference.

www.amazon.co.uk/Collins-Easy-Learning-Handwriting-Workbook/dp/000727758X/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1404799555&sr=8-5&keywords=collins+handwriting+5-7

I use handwriting lines in class noramum and send home handwriting books for children to use at home (but not everyone has access at home so the suggestions are a good alternative).

OP handwriting styles taught in school vary greatly so be wary of books that may show a style not used in your child's school it's worth checking rather than teach incorrectly.

Thanks very much noramum and mrz.

Thanks also Mm marceline and Savoy.

You can print the ground, grass, sky paper on the Twinkl website, free to register and lots of handy resources.