Proper letter formation and effective pencil grasp are important to promote successful writing.
Beginning writers need instruction in letter formation. They need practice to develop the motor memory that influences speed and efficiency in completing written tasks.
Many children who are not instructed in proper letter formation acquire letter formation habits that are not helpful to an easy transition from a printing style to a cursive style. Getting rid of bad habits requires enormous conscious effort. It is an easier task to train the brain properly than to retrain the brain once bad habits are formed.
We focused on the circular letters today with an emphasis on which direction to create the circle (counter-clockwise). Learning to create these circular letters correctly helps children transition seamlessly into cursive writing in their elementary years.