Helping 5 yo with handwriting

[SarahWoodruff]

DD is in the last few weeks of reception. Her school report said her writing was strong, but I can see that her handwriting is still pretty scruffy-looking. I don't think it's a fine motor skill issue as her teacher said her fine motor skills were 'superb', which (even allowing for the teacher being nice) must mean they're ok. She does plenty of Lego, crafting, drawing, spirograph, etc already and also loves to climb trees and swing on monkey bars, so I think it's specifically writing practice she needs. Can anyone recommend good handwriting practice books or resources which we could do a bit of over the holidays? (To be clear, she will also have plenty of time playing, swimming, climbing and wandering around the forest, in case you think I'm a mean mum...).

If the teacher has praised her handwriting and her fine motor skills, your expectations are probably too high - 'pretty scruffy looking' is probably better than most at this age!

I don't have specific resources to recommend, but you could encourage her to keep up with her writing over the summer by making a diary / scrapbook (including drawing pictures, sticking tickets in the book for events you've been to, writing comments etc.). You could also encourage her to send postcards to family and friends, and try the 'best writing for Grandma' type of approach?

I’ve also got a 5 YO, but his teacher was honest and said his writing was pretty poor and that, although it’s not noteworthily bad for reception, it lags behind his ability in other things massively.

She suggested a diary over summer too, plenty of drawings and photos in etc. She volunteered to be the one to ask him to do this and read it with him after summer too, which is the type of positive pressure he needs to stick at it - he’s very unmotivated generally but likes to impress teachers!