Last Updated on September 4, 2024 by Editorial Team
Learning to write is not an easy feat. Ask a preschooler struggling to use those tiny fingers to grasp a pencil and then process the instructions to form letters correctly. No wonder many young kids shy away when it comes to writing tasks. As parents and teachers, we know that writing is an essential skill that can never be ignored. And so, the education system incorporates writing into the curriculum right from the early school years. As we want young kids to learn how to write, it is our responsibility to support the process and make the task easier for them.
The best way to help kids with their writing journey is to give them access to writing tools and writing pages depending on their skill level. This is why we have created a handful of writing line templates that you can freely use if you are a pre-primary or early elementary school teacher or a parent of a young child.
Importance of teaching writing to young children
Why do young children need to learn to write anyway? The answer lies in the fact that writing is an extension of communication, and to communicate and put their point across effectively; kids need to learn to write. After all, as they move to higher grades, their understanding of the subject matter is tested through regular assessments, which involve a lot of writing. If kids don’t learn to write, they will fail to answer assessments and present their knowledge level.
In addition, writing helps kids organize their thoughts and put their critical thinking and problem-solving skills to work. Being able to write improves a child’s literacy skills, which in turn boosts their self-esteem. For preschool and kindergarten kids, writing tasks have a significant purpose. It supports the development of early writing skills, such as hand and finger strength, pincer grasp, hand-eye coordination, and visual perception, which help them learn to hold a pencil and trace letters.
All in all, writing is a significant part of a child’s educational journey. It is a skill they will need for a lifetime. As we teach kids to write, we prepare them for the future.
How to teach handwriting to kids?
The first thing to note before you begin teaching a child to write is to check for readiness. You can take the leap when the child is not too fidgety and can sit on the chair for a few minutes at a time. If they are familiar with letters, know how to hold a pencil, and have had the chance to scribble with crayons and markers, it may be time for them to start writing.
Even though a child can hold a pencil, that does not necessarily mean they have good pencil control. Start off with a few coloring worksheets or some easy writing activities so the child can develop good control. Once they achieve this, switch them to practicing preliminary shapes, which are used to form different types of letters. Depending on the child’s age, ask them to practice making a straight line from top to bottom, a horizontal line, a slanting line, a triangle, a cross, etc. You can use our free kindergarten writing worksheets for this purpose to help kids learn to write in a step-by-step manner starting from standing, slanting, and curved lines.
When the child masters this step, you can teach them how to write letters. Before you do this, you must decide if you want to start with cursive letters or printing style. Generally, kids are more comfortable with printing letters as they align with what they have learned during the prewriting stage.
Because handwriting is a complex skill, you may also want to provide the child with manipulatives for building writing skills. You can even use specific handwriting tools in case you have a special needs child who needs extra help to master this skill. And finally, prepare a stack of writing line pages or print them using online templates so it is ready to use as and when required.
Benefits of using writing lines templates
Pages with writing lines are very useful during the initial stages when children begin to write. As we know, writing is not a natural skill we have since birth but is something we learn through regular practice. To support kids in the learning process, writing lines pages helps in the following ways:
- It allows kids to write in a straight line.
- It provides proper margins so kids know where they should begin and end letters.
- It helps improve their proportional understanding of letters.
- It enhances their concentration levels as they try to write letters on lined pages.
- It improves their penmanship.
- It provides structure to their writing and enhances readability.
- It builds their understanding of how to use letter spacing and punctuation.
What’s included in our 8-page writing lines template
1 Solid line page
This page is suitable for kids who have developed excellent control of writing tools and have become proficient in writing on beginner-friendly 3-line pages. As kids transition from 3-line line pages to single-line pages, this format will enhance their writing skills and take them towards writing on blank sheets of paper.
1 Dotted line page
The dotted-line page is similar to the solid-line page in terms of line spacing but has dots forming the lines, which are less evident than bold black lines. This page is apt for the next step after kids master writing on solid black lines. As dotted lines are less daunting, it helps students forgo their habit of using long, solid lines for writing.
3 3-line black handwriting pages
If you want something basic for your new-to-writing students or child, you may want to try the 3-line page format. 3-line pages are best for kids taking their first step toward writing. You can use them for preschoolers, kindergarteners, and first- or second-grade kids. Our bundle has three types of 3-line pages, each varying in size and spacing. Beginners can start with the 3-line page of the largest size to practice letter formation and spacing. Later, you can give them other pages with reduced line spacing as they get better at writing letters and numbers.
3 3-line blue and red handwriting pages
These pages are designed along the same lines as the 3-line black handwriting pages. But the only difference is that the black lines are replaced with blue and red lines to offer more clarity to kids on where to start and stop writing their letters. These pages are also available in three different sizes to give students practice writing from large to small letters.
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How to print our easy-to-use templates
Writing will be easy and fun with our writing line templates. If you want to use this bundle for your students at school or for your child to give a round of handwriting practice at home, all you need to do is follow a few simple steps. Here they are:
1. Download the pdf file of the templates.
2. Save it to your computer or laptop.
3. Open it using a PDF viewer.
4. You will find a print option on the page.
5. Click on it and collect your printouts.
Make sure your PC/ laptop is connected to a printer before you start taking the prints. Also, you can print as many copies as you would like using our writing lines template.
Quick tips for teaching kids to write
Here are a few simple tips to help kids learn to build their handwriting skills:
- Have a kid’s table and chair set up so the child can sit comfortably and practice writing.
- Provide basic writing tools such as crayons, markers, pencils, erasers, etc.
- Show the child how to write a specific letter before asking them to try it out.
- Buy a few handwriting books for the child to practice in.
- Encourage drawing simple shapes and solving mazes with curved lines to promote hand control.
- Use techniques like sensory freezer bag writing or tracing on the sand to offer a multi-sensory approach to learning to write.
- Include online games occasionally to add variety and improve writing skills.
- You may even give access to websites to practice handwriting online.
- Appreciate your child for their hard work after every handwriting session.
Wrapping up,
Writing line templates are a valuable tool for kids. These templates provide a structured framework that helps children develop their handwriting skills, improve letter formation, and enhance overall writing proficiency. Additionally, our templates are suitable for various age groups and skill levels, allowing teachers and parents to use the templates based on individual student needs. Whether practicing letter formation for kindergarteners or refining essay writing skills for older students, these templates can be adapted to suit specific learning objectives.
In a world where digital communication is so popular, we mustn’t overlook the importance of writing. By teaching little kids how to write, we can lay a solid foundation for their successful futures. So, get your hands on our writing line templates and see beginner writers become experts!
I am Priyanka Sonkushre, a writer and blogger. I am the person behind “One Loving Mama,” a mom blog. Equipped with a Bachelor’s degree along with an MBA, my healthcare background helps me deeply understand learning difficulties. I know how challenging it can be for parents to find the right resources to help their children excel in life. So, here I am to blend my healthcare expertise with my parenting experience to create valuable and helpful resources for parents and teachers supporting children with learning differences. If you wish, you can follow me on Facebook and LinkedIn.