Let me share with you the secrets to improving letter size when writing.
Being able to write clearly is crucial if you are wanting someone else to read it. BUT if you cannot read it. Your teacher cannot read it. Then it is highly likely that an exam board marker is going to struggle to read it too. The key to readability is being able to write with clear letter size.
DON'T take my word for it . . . read what a 14 year old would like you to know about improving letter size
I have been working with a fantastic young man who has improved his handwriting immensely. He will admit that there are still things he’d like to improve but we are ‘getting there’ as they say.
Today, in our lesson, we decided to create our own letter sizing checklist. He was asked to come up with 5 top tips on how he can improve his letter size. And I have added another 3 to his list. These are his words. And I hope they become your checklist too.
(I am sharing this, with his and his Mum’s permission to help you.)
8 secrets to improving letter size - that nobody will tell you
1.
At the beginning, put another line through the middle of the lines. So that you can see where the small and the big letters go.
Extra information: Letters can be grouped in sitting letters, tall or falling letters. Sitting letters are a, c, e, i, m, n, o, r, s, u, v, w, x and z. It can be helpful to think that these letters should never be more than 50% of the gap between too lines.
2.
Space out the letters for spaghetti and meatballs. Spaghetti is for the gaps between the letters. And meatballs is for the gap between words.
Extra information: Spaghetti and meatballs is a technique I teach to children when learning about sizing. There needs to be a different size gap between letters and words.
3.
Consistently practice as it makes it perfect.
Extra information: His words not mine!
4.
Try and put the letters that go under the line around half way in the line below.
5.
You need to be comfortable with your pen as it is the key for success.
Extra information: Pens come in all different shapes for comfort. They also use different inks. A roller ball pen will glide along the paper smoother than a biro. Many people find writing using a roller ball pen improves the look of their writing.
6.
Check your letter width. It should not be too narrow. This is as important as looking at letter heights.
7.
Write on a line. Writing on plain paper distorts where letter heights start and stop.
8.
If you can’t read it check the letter sizing.
To conclude:
Letter sizing is so crucial for handwriting. When this skill is mastered readability of the written word can be achieved. By using these top tips you too can be improving your letter size. And be improving your handwriting.
If you wish to discover some worksheets that help improve letter size, check them out here.
Thanks to the magnificent person who create these tips with me.
Kids handwriting ideas for October – A parents guide
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