Ten rows of handwriting lines, each starting with a solid E to copy, followed by dotted copies to trace. How to form it: A tall line down, then three lines across: top, middle and bottom. Say egg, elephant and elbow together and listen for the sound of e 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.