Before children are expected to form letters, they need plenty of opportunities to develop the movements and control that underpin early writing.
This Pre-Writing Shapes Progression provides a clear, practical progression of the key shapes and patterns children can explore as they develop their pencil control, fine motor skills and early mark-making.
Rather than rushing children straight into letter formation, this resource encourages practitioners to give children time to explore, practise and master the foundational movements first — building confidence and control along the way.
The progression moves through increasingly complex shapes and patterns, helping children develop the skills needed to eventually form letters with greater ease and accuracy.
Inside the resource:
A clear progression of pre-writing shapes and patterns
A sequence that supports the development of pencil control
Shapes that can be explored through a range of mark-making opportunities
A useful reference for practitioners when planning and assessing early writing development
A simple visual resource to help communicate the progression to colleagues and families
Perfect for Nursery, Reception and early years provision, this resource can be used alongside playful, open-ended mark-making experiences rather than as a worksheet-based approach to writing.
Because before children can write letters, they need to learn how their hands move.
Before children are expected to form letters, they need plenty of opportunities to develop the movements and control that underpin early writing.
This Pre-Writing Shapes Progression provides a clear, practical progression of the key shapes and patterns children can explore as they develop their pencil control, fine motor skills and early mark-making.
Rather than rushing children straight into letter formation, this resource encourages practitioners to give children time to explore, practise and master the foundational movements first — building confidence and control along the way.
The progression moves through increasingly complex shapes and patterns, helping children develop the skills needed to eventually form letters with greater ease and accuracy.
Inside the resource:
A clear progression of pre-writing shapes and patterns
A sequence that supports the development of pencil control
Shapes that can be explored through a range of mark-making opportunities
A useful reference for practitioners when planning and assessing early writing development
A simple visual resource to help communicate the progression to colleagues and families
Perfect for Nursery, Reception and early years provision, this resource can be used alongside playful, open-ended mark-making experiences rather than as a worksheet-based approach to writing.
Because before children can write letters, they need to learn how their hands move.
