Ten rows of handwriting lines, each starting with a solid S to copy, followed by dotted copies to trace. How to form it: A curve to the left at the top, then back to the right at the bottom: a big snake. Say sun, snake and sock together and listen for the sound of s 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.