Ten rows of handwriting lines, each starting with a solid B to copy, followed by dotted copies to trace. How to form it: A tall line down, then two bumps on the right: a smaller one at the top and a bigger one at the bottom. Say ball, bear and banana together and listen for the sound of b at the start.

Before the pencil, let the child draw the shape big in the air or with a finger on the table, saying the strokes out loud. Then trace on paper. Praise the best one in each row rather than pointing out the wobbly ones.