Developmental Writing Deep Dive Part 2: Writing Pathways

Oftentimes when we think of handwriting instruction we think of grabbing a workbook and starting on page one. Page one usually is Aa. But that is actually not where to start when teaching kids to write their letters and numbers. In fact, you don’t even need those workbooks for quite a while, you aren’t even going to start with letters or numbers. So then, where do we start? Let me tell you. 

Prewriting Pathways 

Before your child picks up their pencil, they are going to want to become familiar with common lines and curves that are used when writing letters, numbers, or drawing common pictures. These lines are the foundation for future handwriting practice, so it is important to start slowly and really lay that solid foundation so that they can find success in later handwriting instruction. I always say, “go slow to go fast”, meaning, the slower you go in the foundation laying the faster you’ll soar through with success when you get to the end goal skills! These prewriting pathways are best practiced using multisensory learning, providing sensory and tactile input for students to create those connections and build those neuropathways. Ways I like to provide practice for my students: 

Sand Tray: Place coarse sand into a shallow dish. Provide Prewriting Pathway Cards for children to trace with their fingers and then reproduce with their pointer finger in the sand. Give the tray a little shake to even out the sand and try your next pathway. Check it out in action here

Tactile Cards: Print out the Prewriting Pathway Cards on card stock paper, trace the lines with glue, and shake fine sand onto the glue. Let dry and dust off excess sand. Have children trace sand pathways with their index finger. 

Dough Mats: Using the same Prewriting Pathway Cards, laminate them for longevity and provide play dough to the child to roll dough snakes and build the pathways on top of or alongside the cards. 

Tracing: Laminate the Prewriting Pathway Cards and provide the child with a dry erase marker or crayon to practice tracing over the lines and curves and erase to try again. 

Developmental Writing Pathways

Once your students have had ample exposure to the prewriting tactile materials above, now it is time for them to pick up the pencil and begin tracing and independently writing the lines and curves and shapes needed to be successful letter, number, and picture creators! When working through these Developmental Writing Pathways there is a sequential developmental order and correct directionality for each one. These pathways make up all letters and numbers in the English alphabet, and span 2-3 years or more to master. Let's take a look at each: 

Grab the Developmental Writing Pathways resource to begin working on these pathways with your learners, and check out how to set them up for repeated practice here and what they look like in action here!

(All ages listed here are approximate, each child will develop quicker or slower based on their individual readiness and ability. If at any time you are concerned about your child’s writing development, please reach out to your pediatrician to discuss your concerns and potentially work with an occupational therapist.)

Bonus Practice - Pathway Pictures

Another fun way to practice these prewriting pathways is by incorporating them into something kids love to do: draw! The Developmental Writing Pathways Pictures gives children the opportunity to put their lines, curves, and shapes to use learning to trace and draw simple pictures. This resource can be set up the same way as the Developmental Writing Pathways, or used as a one and done printable that they can draw and color to keep. Students will trace the lines, curves, and shapes in the warm up portion, then trace the picture using those same lines, curves, and shapes, then try drawing it independently. This is a great way to make writing practice even more engaging for young learners. 


Once your students have a solid foundation in the Developmental Writing Pathways, and a comfortable and appropriate pencil grip (more on that here), then they are ready to begin the work of learning to write their letters and numbers! Part 3 of this blog series launches in 2 weeks where I will walk you step by step through the handwriting sequence for all letters and numbers, and teach you how to teach your students to write in a developmentally appropriate, and research-backed sequence.

If you missed it, check out Part 1: Developing Pencil Grip, and head to @projectbasedprimary on Instagram where we will be showing all these resources in action! 

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Developmental Writing Deep Dive: Part 3 Handwriting Pathways

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Developmental Writing Deep Dive Part 1: Pencil Grip