Encouraging children to write with Write My Name

*A collaborative post

Ever since Olly was old enough to hold a pencil, he’s been scribbling away. We’ve always encouraged him to express himself through writing, and now at the age of four, he confidently puts pencil to paper as he learns to form letters and words. Writing, especially crafting an informal letter, is a valuable skill that takes dedication and hours of practice. Whether it’s a simple note to a friend or a heartfelt message to a loved one, mastering informal letter writing is a lifelong skill that enhances communication and creativity.

I was recently introduced to Write My Name, a completely personalised handwriting practice workbook for children and thought it was a fantastic idea. Many of the children in Olly’s pre-school class have difficulty writing their names and if there’s something that parents can do to encourage their child’s learning at home, then I am all for it.

The concept of the workbook is that parents can go online and download a workbook which is completely personalised to their child with their photograph on the front cover and name throughout the workbook. There are plenty of handwriting aids available online but none that are tailored to an individuals name (in the same way certain children’s names aren’t available on mugs or keyrings in the services on the motorway!)

The personalised workbook features the child’s name and has 27 re-printable pages so you can print off and practice as many times as needed. The workbook encourages little ones to firstly join the dots in forming letters and then practising letter formation of the alphabet with both big and little letters. Letters of the alphabet are grouped into shape families based on their formation and children are encouraged to draw over them and build up their knowledge of the alphabet.

Finally towards the end of the workbook children are encouraged to fill the gaps in their names with the letters that they have learnt and ultimately, with practice children should be able to write their own names independently.

Write My Name understand the difficulties of teaching children how to write their name. Mum of two, Natasha, founder of Write My Name had frustrations in teaching her pre-schooler, Zariah how to write her own name as she couldn’t find anything that was completely personalised for her daughter. She has since developed the workbook to be uniquely named and created to help other parents and children going through the same difficulties.

Benefits of the Write My Name workbook

• Improves children’s fine motor skills
• Helps to develop handwriting at an early age
• Encourages hand-eye co-ordination
• Great preparation for children entering Early Years Foundation Stage in schools
• Children understand how their name is formed and which letters to use and in which order
• Parents are able to keep their child’s first structured handwriting practice for the memory box

We will be trialling the workbook over the next three weeks with Olly as he enters the last term of pre-school and will be sharing our review later this month.

In the interest of complete transparency, Olly has one of the easiest names in his class and has already learnt how to spell his name correctly. Therefore we will be encouraging him to neaten up his letters so they’re instantly recognisable (to us) and so they’re small enough to fit within the lines in the workbook, something that he is yet to do.

Disclosure: We are working with Write My Name on this campaign but all thoughts and words are my own.