English·Handwriting & Transcription·conceptual
Letter Formation Families
Understand which letters belong to which handwriting families based on similar formation patterns and practise letters in groups
Suggested ages 5–6
Learning journey
Your child is mastering the physical skills of writing — learning to form letters and numbers correctly, hold a pencil properly, and develop neat, legible handwriting.
Evidence of understanding
- Group letters by similar strokes (e.g. c, a, d, g, o family — all start with a curve)
- Explain why certain letters are practised together
- Form letters within the same family consistently using the shared movement pattern
Assessment prompt
Does Letter Formation Families understand that certain letters are formed in similar ways — for example, "c," "a," "d," and "g" all start with the same curved stroke — and practise those families together?
Standards alignment
Eng_Y1_WH_05GB · uk-nc-2013
Handwriting families
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key stage 1