Best Handwriting Curriculum for Kids: Print, Cursive & Montessori Options

The best handwriting curriculum for most children is Handwriting Without Tears (now called Learning Without Tears). It teaches letter formation using a multi-sensory, developmentally appropriate approach that works for children across a wide range of fine motor abilities. For families who prefer a Charlotte Mason or classical approach, Getty-Dubay Italic Handwriting teaches a beautiful, practical style that transitions naturally into cursive. And for Montessori families, sandpaper letters and the moveable alphabet provide a tactile foundation that integrates handwriting with reading. Below, we review the five best handwriting programs for homeschool families.

Why Handwriting Still Matters

In an age of keyboards and touchscreens, some parents wonder whether handwriting instruction is still necessary. The research is unequivocal: yes, it is.

Studies consistently show that handwriting activates regions of the brain involved in thinking, language, and working memory in ways that typing does not. Children who write by hand remember more, compose better sentences, and generate more ideas than those who type. A 2012 study by Karin James at Indiana University found that the act of producing letters by hand is directly linked to learning to read them.

Beyond cognition, handwriting develops fine motor control, attention to detail, and the patience to produce careful work. For young children, it is one of the most important skills they will learn — and one that benefits from intentional instruction rather than being left to chance. Once letter formation is solid, a dedicated writing curriculum can help children move from handwriting into composition and self-expression.

That said, handwriting should never become a source of tears or frustration. The best programs teach letter formation through short, enjoyable sessions that respect the developmental reality of small hands and growing brains.

Before You Start: Readiness Signs

Not every four-year-old is ready to hold a pencil and form letters. Before beginning formal handwriting instruction, look for these readiness signs:

• Tripod grip — can hold a crayon or thick pencil with thumb, index, and middle finger (does not need to be perfect)
• Basic shapes — can draw a circle, cross, and vertical/horizontal lines
• Interest — shows curiosity about writing, tries to write their name, or asks how to make letters
• Sitting tolerance — can sit at a table and focus for 5-10 minutes
• Hand dominance — consistently uses the same hand for most tasks (usually established by age 4)

If your child is not showing these signs, focus on pre-writing activities instead: playdough, tearing paper, stringing beads, drawing with chalk, tracing in sand, and finger painting. These activities develop the fine motor strength and control that handwriting requires. If your child is still in the kindergarten years, there is no rush — pre-writing play is exactly the right work for this stage.

1. Handwriting Without Tears (Learning Without Tears)

Handwriting Without Tears (HWT), recently rebranded as Learning Without Tears, is the most widely used handwriting curriculum in both schools and homeschools. Created by occupational therapist Jan Olsen, it uses a developmental approach with unique letter-formation strategies.

How it teaches: HWT uses a simple double-line format (no confusing mid-lines or dotted lines), teaches uppercase letters before lowercase, and groups letters by formation type rather than alphabetical order. Multi-sensory tools include a wooden board and chalk, wet-dry-try method, and small manipulative pieces for building letters.

Pros:

• Developed by an occupational therapist with deep understanding of child development
• Multi-sensory approach — build letters with wood pieces, trace in chalk, then write
• Simple, clean page design that does not overwhelm young learners
• Teaches uppercase first, which is developmentally appropriate and easier for small hands
• Groups letters by formation stroke rather than alphabet order — more logical for learning
• Workbooks are affordable ($10-12 each per grade level)
• Cursive program available for ages 7+
• Widely used, so resources and support are abundant

Cons:

• The letter style is simple and functional rather than aesthetically beautiful
• Some families find the uppercase-first approach counterintuitive
• Teacher guides are helpful but add cost
• The multi-sensory materials (wood board, letter pieces) are sold separately
• Minimal connection to reading instruction — purely a handwriting program

Best for: Ages 4-8 for print, ages 7-10 for cursive. The best choice for most homeschool families, especially those with children who struggle with fine motor skills, show frustration with writing, or have occupational therapy needs. Works well alongside any phonics program.

2. The Good and the Beautiful Handwriting

The Good and the Beautiful (TGATB) offers free downloadable handwriting courses for levels K-5 that cover print and cursive. The pages feature nature photography, fine art, and character-building quotes.

How it teaches: Each page includes a model letter or word, space for tracing, and space for independent practice. The content integrates handwriting with nature facts, poetry, geography, and art appreciation. Print courses cover one letter per lesson; cursive courses teach letter connections and fluency.

Pros:

• Completely free as PDF downloads — unbeatable price
• Visually stunning pages with nature photography and classic artwork
• Integrates handwriting with knowledge across subjects
• Gentle, non-pressured pacing
• Includes both print and cursive courses
• Letters are taught in a logical developmental order
• Minimal parent involvement required — children can work fairly independently

Cons:

• Requires printing, which adds ink and paper costs (the pages are beautiful but ink-heavy)
• Contains occasional religious/moral content (generally mild)
• Less multi-sensory than HWT — primarily a paper-and-pencil program
• No guidance for children with fine motor difficulties
• Physical books available for purchase but sell out frequently
• The beauty of the pages can be a distraction for some children

Best for: Ages 5-10. Families who want beautiful, free handwriting practice that goes beyond simple letter formation. Pairs naturally with other TGATB products if you are using their language arts curriculum.

3. Getty-Dubay Italic Handwriting

Getty-Dubay teaches italic handwriting — a style that uses a consistent letter shape for both print and cursive, eliminating the need to learn two completely different alphabets. Barbara Getty and Inga Dubay developed this approach at Portland State University.

How it teaches: Children learn basic italic letter shapes first (similar to print but with a slight slant and specific entry/exit strokes). As they develop control, they simply join the same letter shapes to create cursive. The transition is seamless because the letter forms do not change.

Pros:

• One letter style for both print and cursive — no relearning required
• Italic handwriting is elegant, legible, and efficient
• The natural progression from print to cursive is smooth and logical
• Workbooks are well-designed with clear instruction
• Affordable ($10-12 per workbook)
• The resulting handwriting is genuinely beautiful
• Used in many Waldorf and Charlotte Mason homeschools

Cons:

• The italic style differs from what children see in most printed books and school settings
• Fewer multi-sensory components than HWT
• Less widely known, so finding support or community advice is harder
• The workbooks assume a certain level of fine motor readiness
• May not be the best fit for children who struggle with fine motor control
• Fewer levels and less granular progression than HWT

Best for: Ages 5-10. Ideal for families who value beautiful, efficient handwriting and want to avoid the jarring transition from print to traditional cursive. A favorite among Charlotte Mason and Waldorf homeschoolers who incorporate copywork and nature journaling.

4. Logic of English Handwriting

Logic of English (LOE) integrates handwriting instruction directly into its phonics and spelling program. The handwriting component teaches the Rhythm of Handwriting using a tactile, multi-sensory approach synchronized with phonogram instruction.

How it teaches: As children learn each phonogram (letter-sound combination) in the LOE reading program, they simultaneously learn to write the corresponding letter. The Rhythm of Handwriting uses verbal cues (rhythm descriptions for each stroke) and tactile cards. Both print (manuscript) and cursive versions are available.

Pros:

• Fully integrated with reading and spelling — handwriting reinforces phonics and vice versa
• Verbal rhythm cues make letter formation memorable and consistent
• Tactile letter cards provide a multi-sensory experience
• Available in both print and cursive editions
• The connection between reading and writing instruction is pedagogically powerful
• Produces neat, consistent letter formation

Cons:

• Works best (and is designed for) families already using Logic of English for phonics
• Standalone use is possible but less intuitive without the LOE context
• More expensive than standalone handwriting programs
• Requires understanding the LOE system of phonograms
• Less widely used than HWT, so fewer external resources available

Best for: Ages 4-8. The obvious choice for families already using Logic of English Foundations for phonics instruction. The integration of reading, spelling, and handwriting into a single system is powerful and efficient.

5. Montessori Sandpaper Letters and Tracing Approach

The Montessori approach to handwriting begins long before pencil touches paper. Children develop fine motor control and letter knowledge through a progression of tactile materials: sandpaper letters, the moveable alphabet, metal insets, and eventually pencil work on lined paper.

How it teaches: Children first trace sandpaper letters (letters cut from fine-grain sandpaper mounted on smooth boards) with their fingertips, internalizing the shape and formation through touch. They say the letter sound while tracing. Metal insets develop pencil control through tracing shapes. The moveable alphabet allows word composition before writing is physically possible. Eventually, children transition to pencil on paper with the letter formations already internalized.

Pros:

• Deeply tactile and multi-sensory — engages the whole body in learning letters
• Children learn letter forms before they need pencil control
• The progression from tactile to written is developmentally beautiful
• Integrates handwriting with reading instruction through the moveable alphabet
• Respects individual readiness — children move at their own pace
• The sensory experience is inherently calming and focused
• Can begin as early as age 2.5-3 with sandpaper letters

Cons:

• Montessori materials can be expensive if purchased from specialty suppliers
• DIY materials (homemade sandpaper letters) require significant preparation
• No structured workbook or lesson plan — parent needs Montessori knowledge to implement well
• Less efficient for children who are already pencil-ready and eager to write
• Harder to track progress or document for state requirements
• Requires a prepared environment with proper shelf organization

Best for: Ages 2.5-6. Ideal for families with a Montessori-inspired home, very young children who are interested in letters but not ready for pencil work, or children with sensory processing needs who benefit from tactile learning. The sandpaper letter approach is particularly effective for children who find paper-and-pencil work frustrating.

Print vs. Cursive: Which to Teach First

This is one of the most debated questions in handwriting education. Here is the case for each approach:

Teach Print First (Most Common)

• Print matches what children see in books, signs, and screens
• Print letters are simpler and require less fine motor control
• Most phonics programs use print
• HWT, LOE, and Explode the Code all begin with print

Teach Cursive First (Charlotte Mason & Some Montessori)

• Cursive letters flow naturally left to right, reinforcing reading direction
• Connected letters reduce spacing errors and letter reversals (b/d confusion)
• Children only learn one writing system, not two
• Some research suggests cursive may benefit children with dyslexia
• Traditional Charlotte Mason and some Montessori approaches favor cursive first

Teach Italic (Getty-Dubay Approach)

• One letter system that works for both print and "joined" writing
• The most practical compromise between the two camps
• Efficient — no transition from one system to another

Our recommendation: start with whatever your chosen curriculum teaches, and do not stress about this decision. Children who learn print first transition to cursive just fine. Children who learn cursive first read print without difficulty. The most important thing is consistent, gentle, daily practice — not which style you choose.

Tips for Successful Handwriting Practice

1. Keep sessions short — 5-10 minutes for ages 4-5, 10-15 minutes for ages 6-8; stop before frustration builds
2. Use the right tools — thick pencils or crayons for young children, golf pencils (short and fat) for developing grip, regular pencils only when grip is established
3. Start big — skywriting (tracing letters in the air), chalkboard writing, and finger tracing all build formation before fine motor demands come into play
4. Watch for grip — a relaxed tripod grip is the goal, but do not obsess over it with children under 5; grip often self-corrects with practice
5. Make it multi-sensory — write in shaving cream, sand, salt trays, or with paintbrushes and water on sidewalks
6. Prioritize letter formation over beauty — correct stroke order and starting points matter more than perfection
7. Use lined paper appropriate to the age — wide-ruled for beginners, gradually transitioning to narrower lines
8. Never use worksheets as punishment — handwriting should feel like a craft, not a chore

Our Recommendation

For most homeschool families, Handwriting Without Tears is the best starting point. It is developmentally appropriate, multi-sensory, affordable, and effective for a wide range of children — including those with fine motor challenges.

If you are already using Logic of English for phonics, use their Rhythm of Handwriting for seamless integration.

If you want beautiful, free resources and do not mind printing, The Good and the Beautiful Handwriting is hard to beat on value.

And if you have a very young child (under 4) showing interest in letters, start with Montessori sandpaper letters — the tactile experience is unmatched for building early letter knowledge.

Whatever you choose, remember that handwriting is a fine motor skill that develops over years, not weeks. Be patient, keep sessions short and positive, and trust that daily practice — even just five minutes — will produce results. Your child does not need to have perfect handwriting by age 6. They need to have a positive relationship with putting pencil to paper. Everything else follows from there.