All skills English

Learn Index · Writing Grade K

Writing letters, words and sentences

Young writers write letters, words, labels and simple sentences to share their ideas.

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From marks to messages

Writing grows step by step. First you make marks and drawings. Then you learn letters. Next you put letters together to make words. Finally, you put words together to make sentences that share your ideas.

Every writer started this way, even the authors of your favourite books.

Getting ready to write

Sit like a writer

  • Feet flat on the floor.
  • Back straight.
  • Paper in front of you.
  • Your other hand holds the paper still.

Hold your pencil

A good pencil grip makes writing easier and less tiring.

  1. Pinch the pencil with your thumb and first finger, near the point.
  2. Let the pencil rest on your middle finger.
  3. Keep your fingers relaxed, not squeezing hard.

A fun trick: hold the pencil near the tip and “flip” it over so it rests in the web of your hand.

Writing letters

Each letter has a special way to make it. This is called letter formation.

  • Start at the top. Most letters begin at the top and go down.
  • Sit on the line. Letters sit on the baseline, like people standing on the floor.
  • Tall letters (b, d, f, h, k, l, t) reach up high.
  • Short letters (a, c, e, m, n, o, r, s, u, v, w, x, z) stay small.
  • Tail letters (g, j, p, q, y) hang below the line.

Practise a few letters at a time. Say the sound as you write the letter: write m and say /m/.

Letter groups

Some letters are made in similar ways:

  • Round letters start like a “c”: c, a, d, g, o, q.
  • Down-and-up letters: l, i, t, u, y.
  • Bumpy letters: n, m, h, r.

Writing words

A word is made of letters that go together. To write a word:

  1. Say the word slowly. sun.
  2. Listen for each sound. /s/ /u/ /n/.
  3. Write a letter for each sound. s, u, n.
  4. Read it back. sun!

It’s okay to try

When you do not know how to spell a word, write the sounds you hear. If you write bot for boat, that is a great try! This is called inventive spelling. It shows you are listening to sounds. Over time, you will learn the correct spellings.

Labels

A great first writing activity is to draw a picture and write a label. Draw your family and write each person’s name. Draw a bug and label its legs and wings.

Writing sentences

A sentence tells a whole idea. It has:

  • A capital letter at the start.
  • Spaces between words.
  • A mark at the end (. ? !).

How to write a sentence

  1. Think it. What do you want to say? I like my dog.
  2. Say it out loud. Count the words on your fingers: I / like / my / dog. Four words.
  3. Write one word at a time. Leave a finger space after each word.
  4. Add the end mark.
  5. Read it back. Does it make sense? Did you include every word?

Sentence starters

These can help you begin:

  • I like …
  • I can …
  • I see …
  • My favourite … is …
  • Today I …

Let’s try some examples

Example 1: Write the word cat.
Say it: /c/ /a/ /t/. Write c-a-t.

Example 2: Write a label.
Draw a tree. Write the word tree next to it.

Example 3: Write a sentence about your picture.
I see a big tree. Capital I at the start, spaces between words, period at the end.

Example 4: Fix this sentence. ilikemymom
Add a capital, spaces and a period: I like my mom.

Common mistakes

  • Starting letters at the bottom. Most letters start at the top.
  • Letters floating in the air. Sit them on the baseline.
  • No spaces. Use a finger space between words.
  • Forgetting words. Say your sentence and count the words, then check.
  • Giving up on a hard word. Write the sounds you hear. Trying is how you learn.

Try it yourself

  1. Write your name. Did you start with a capital letter?
  2. Write three words: sun, dog, map.
  3. Draw your favourite food and write a label.
  4. Write a sentence that starts with I can.

Answers: Answers will vary. Check for a capital letter at the start, spaces and an end mark.

Grown-up tip

Make writing part of real life: shopping lists, birthday cards, notes on the fridge. Let your child dictate a sentence, then write it together. Celebrate effort and inventive spelling, and gently show one correct spelling at a time. Short daily practice builds strong hands and confident writers.

Quick recap

  • Sit tall and use a relaxed pencil grip.
  • Start most letters at the top and sit them on the baseline.
  • Say words slowly and write a letter for each sound.
  • Sentences need a capital letter, spaces and an end mark.
  • Trying a spelling is a great way to learn.