10 Best Handwriting Resources Recommended by Homeschool Moms

Wondering what handwriting resources would be best for your kids?

Take the struggle out of handwriting for your kids by picking a resource that works for their needs.

Check out these 10 best handwriting resources recommended by homeschool moms. #2 has been our family's favorite 🙂

 

Why It's Smart to Check Out These Best Handwriting Resources

Crumpled up pieces of paper piled high on the floor.

Tears and soggy tissues tall enough to rival those paper ball piles.

Handwriting struggles can feel like epic battles with your kids. You may wonder who will emerge the victor, if anyone. And if it's even worth the fight?

Before you raise the white flag, check out these top handwriting resources and tips recommended by homeschool moms for different grades who have been there and done that.

You can help your child learn how to have neat, legible print and cursive (plus letter formation) with a bit of patience, practice, and these helpful resources 🙂

10 Best Handwriting Resources Recommended by Homeschool Moms

1. Handwriting Without Tears

This handwriting system is one of the most popular and recommended resources for teaching kids how to print and write in cursive.

My friend, Sarita, shared that Handwriting Without Tears (HWOT) has been amazing for her kids, especially her child with perfectionistic tendencies.

You can start this system with younger students for teaching handwriting.

Handwriting Without Tears - Get Set For School - My First School Book - Pre-K Activity BookHandwriting Without Tears SAS Slide Stamp and See Screen, 4Handwriting Without Tears Letters and Numbers KindergartenKick Start Kindergarten Handwriting Without TearsHandwriting Without Tears My Printing Book - Grade 1 - 2018 EditionHandwriting Without Tears Printing Power Grade 2 (2013)Can-Do Cursive, Handwriting Without Tears: Cursive for the Older Student Grades 5 and upHandwriting Without Tears Block Paper - 8 ½ x 11 inches - Set of 104 Sheets - GrayHandwriting Without Tears DAW Double Line Wide Draw and Write NotebookHandwriting Without Tears HWT SLT Slate ManipulativeHandwriting Without Tears WN Double Line Regular Writing Notebook, 0.2Handwriting Without Tears 005999 Tears Capital Letters Wood Pieces

2. New American Cursive

My boys and I use these books to learn and practice cursive. Yes, you read that right! I use New American Cursive with my boys.

My cursive writing looked like chicken scratch! I desperately needed a refresher course in cursive (which became apparent while trying to teach my boys how to cultivate neat handwriting habits!).

My friend, Dianna of The Kennedy Adventures, recommended this set used in Memoria Press.

Now, my cursive writing skills have improved - right along with my boys! We are working on correct letter formation for lowercase letters and uppercase letters.

This approach also has fantastic reminders and tips for posture, writing individual letters, pencil grasp, and more.

New American Cursive has been a lifesaver for our homeschool family. No more excuses or screaming or gnashing of the teeth when it's time to practice handwriting!

For example, Smiley (9) would sit there with big crocodile tears running down his cheeks when it was time for handwriting. "Mom, I just can't do this!" was his response to other methods that we tried.

Now, in his Smiley fashion, he happily gets his spiral-bound workbook and completes his assignment. He even, gasp!, does extra work and moves ahead!

New American Cursive INew American Cursive II (Quotations from Famous Americans) by Iris Hatfield (2009-01-01)New American Cursive IIINew American Cursive 3 (Famous Quotes - Secular)

3. Pentime Penmanship

This series of handwriting workbooks is recommended as affordable and easy to use. Pentime Penmanship is available for manuscript, transition from manuscript to cursive, and cursive.

 

4. Good & Beautiful Handwriting

If you are looking for a handwriting series that also incorporates artwork, poetry, Bible verses, and quotes, Good & Beautiful Handwriting by Jenny Phillips may be perfect for your homeschool.

Six levels are available in PDF (download and print) and spiral-bound versions.

 

5. Calligraphy

Some of my homeschool mom friends suggest having your kids learn calligraphy. The special attention to strokes on downward and upward movements can help kids slow down and focus.

My boys and I learn and practice calligraphy as part of our homeschool fun. We believe that it's helped our overall handwriting improve. Boost your handwriting resources with these supplies:

Calligraphy for KidsFun and Friendly Calligraphy for Kids: A Hands-On Guide to Creative LetteringCrayola Signature Crayoligraphy Calligraphy Art Set, Hand Lettering Tutorials, Crafts Kit, GiftCrayola Crayoligraphy Kit Calligraphy Beginner Kit

 

6. Pencil Grips

Some kids find that special pencil grips help make the handwriting process easier and more enjoyable. There are a ton of different types with a variety of colors and shapes.

If you feel your child could benefit from using a pencil grip to teach proper grasp and use, I encourage you to have them be a part of the selection process for a greater sense of ownership.

The Pencil Grip Metallic, Universal Ergonomic Training Gripper for Righties and Lefties, 6 Count Assorted Colors (TPG-11806)The Classics 12-Pack Soft Foam Pencil Grips, Assorted Colors, 1.5-Inch Long (TPG-16412)Pencil Grips,Tanbt Writing Correction Device Pencil Grips for Kids Handwriting Fish Dolphin Soft Writing Training Grip Holder Pen Claw Aid for Kids Student Kindergarten Writing Corrects PositioningThe Pencil Grip 3-Step Training Kit with 3 Premium Ergonomic Pencil Grips, Crossover Grip, Pinch Grip, Pencil Grip (MXG-003)The Classics 12-Pack Extreme Gel Pencil Grips, Assorted Colors and Shapes, 1.3-Inch Long (TPG-16512)Pencil Grips, Firesara 2018 New Original Breakthrough Assorted Writing Aid Grip Trainer Posture Correction Finger Grip for Kids Preschoolers Children Adults Special Needs for Lefties or Righties(4PCS)

7. Advanced Cursive Handwriting Practice for Teens

Got teenagers that could use a refresher (or learn for the first time) in cursive? Advanced Cursive Handwriting Practice for Teens comes highly recommended by my homeschool mom friends! And it's affordable 🙂

Advanced Cursive Handwriting Practice Workbook for Teens

 

8. Tracing Practice

My friend, Daisy, suggests tracing beautiful handwriting to get a feel for the movements. This practice can take the pressure off as your child develops muscle memory for writing cursive.

 

9. YouTube

Check out some video tutorials on YouTube!

A Farmhouse Full shares her tips and tricks for teaching cursive to her kids. Your visual learners will especially find this activity helpful when improving their handwriting.

 

10. Special Paper

My boys use and love this Hi-Write Paper to help them learn proper placement of cursive letters.

This Zaner-Bloser dotted line paper for handwriting also comes highly recommended by my homeschool mom friends.

Abilitations Integrations Hi-Write Beginner 2 Paper - Pack of 100Pacon PACZP2413 Zaner-Bloser Dotted Midline Sulphite Paper, 8

Bonus Tip: Let your kids pick out a special pencil or crayons to practice their handwriting. My boys are much more willing to do their cursive lessons when wielding a Star Wars pencil or Harry Potter Spells & Charms pencil 😉

And I just have to share these ah-mazing handwriting resources that my boys love to use for handwriting practice: Pilot Frixion erasable pens! These pens come in a variety of colors, write smoothly, and erase perfectly. These pens alone have eliminated so much of the frustration associated with handwriting in our homeschool.

Two of my boys are perfectionists and these pens give them a combined sense of freedom to make a mistake and confidence that they will be able to correct their work. Priceless.

Pilot FriXion Clicker Retractable Erasable Gel Pens, Fine Point, Assorted Color Inks, 7-Pack (31472)PILOT FriXion Color Sticks Erasable Gel Pens, 10-pack of Assorted Colors (32454)Pilot FriXion Ball Erasable Gel Pens, Fine Point, 8-Pack Pouch, Black/Blue/Red/Pink/Purple/Orange/Lime/Brown Inks (31569)Pilot FriXion Colors Erasable Marker Pen, 24 colors setPilot Refills for Frixion Erasable Gel Ink Pens (3-Pack), Fashion Assorted Bundled with 1 Pack of Refills BundledPilot Frixion Colors Erasable Marker - 12 Color set /Value set Which Attached the Eraser Only for FrictionPilot FriXion Colors Erasable Marker Pen, Bold Point, Assorted Ink, 12-Pack, 44155

Another BONUS tip: Young children (well, kids of all ages) can have a blast practicing fine motor skills using their pointer finger, shaving cream, and trays (or kitchen counter). Simply spray enough shaving cream to spread over the tray or counter. Then, let your kids practice upper case and lower case letters.

I hope these recommended handwriting and cursive resources help you discover new ways to rock your homeschool manuscript & cursive writing! What handwriting resources and tips would you add to this list?

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