Reception teachers show huge relief when I point out that Ofsted doesn’t require them to teach cursive writing. But then

DO 1. Have enough tables available for children to practise at the same time (where have all the tables gone?). 2. Practise handwriting

Entry – and most exit – strokes hinder children’s handwriting   I invented mnemonic phrases to help children form letters

Take two eight year-olds, Jack and Daisy: same age, but years apart in reading ability.  Jack loves reading. He’s always

Me: How’s Daisy doing? Mark: Not very well, actually. She’s in the bottom group. We’ve just had her end of Year 2

You’re creating a new reading programme. The first question you ask yourself is, ‘How can I get all children to read as

By Jennifer Chew In his 1994 book The Language Instinct, Steven Pinker, an eminent American professor of linguistics, points out that in

What is cursive handwriting? ‘Cursive’ or ‘joined-up’ handwriting is any style of writing where letters are joined to make writing faster. Formal

You’re nearly five. You’ve been in the Reception class for four weeks. It’s Phonics time. You’re sitting on the itchy