These ideas are for adults using the Blank Handwriting Notebook with a child. The notebook covers the line size check, pencil control, warm-up tracing, and an alphabet reference, so this page is about what to do on the blank lined pages that make up most of the book.
Keep practice short
A few minutes is better than a long session. One line, one word, one sentence, or one small task is plenty. If things are going well, that's a good moment to stop.
Focus on one thing
You don't need to correct everything at once. Pick one thing to notice today and ignore the rest. For example:
- letter size
- spacing between words
- sitting letters on the line
- starting slowly
- finishing a line carefully
Pick a different one tomorrow.
Trace and copy
Write a letter, pattern, word, or short phrase at the start of a line, then ask the child to copy it across. Having a model to follow takes the pressure off and is good for control, fluency, and confidence.
Today is…
Writing the date is a small daily task that covers days of the week, months, number formats, and everyday writing. Pick whichever version fits the page and the child:
- Today is Thursday, 1st January 2026.
- Thursday, 1st January 2026.
- 1st January 2026
- 1/01/2026
Label a picture
Draw something, cut and paste a picture in, or stick on a sticker, then label it. Younger children can write a single word. More confident writers can add a phrase or a sentence. The picture gives them something to write about so they don't have to come up with it themselves.
Copy text from everyday life
Real text from around the house is usually more interesting than made-up practice sentences. A few things to copy from:
- a cereal box
- a book title
- a toy label
- a sign
- a recipe
- a joke
- a sentence from a story
Keep it short. A few careful words beat a long rushed passage.
Writing prompts
If a child needs a starting point, an open-ended sentence opener works better than a blank page. Try things like:
- Today I…
- Yesterday I…
- My favourite colour is…
- I love…
- The … cat was…
- On the way to school I saw…
Cover and stickers
Children are more willing to use a notebook that feels like theirs. Decorate the cover or the inside pages with stickers, drawings, labels, or small notes.
More from MyDragonLibrary
More printable practice to use alongside the Blank Handwriting Notebook:
- Handwriting notebook series: line sizes that progress with your child.
- Lined paper generator: extra ruled pages in the line size that suits your child.
- Custom worksheets: mix handwriting with spelling and other small tasks.
- Blog: notes on what's worked for us along the way.