Letter Formation Families
Understand which letters belong to which handwriting families based on similar formation patterns and practise letters in groups
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Teaching Table · Reviewed guide
Set out your lesson
“Some letters are in the same formation family because they start with the same movement. c, a, d, and g all start with a curve. Practicing the shared start helps handwriting stay consistent.”
Bring to the table
- Large paper
- Thick marker or crayon
Full guide and materials
- Large paper
- Thick marker or crayon
- Step 1. Write a large c and say “start with a curve.”
- Step 2. Add a, d, and g under it, starting each with the same curve motion.
- Step 3. Have your child air-trace the curve, then write c, a, d, g in a row.
- Step 4. Compare the four letters and ask why they belong together.
- Quick check. Success means your child can say or show that c and d share a starting curve and can write at least three letters from that family with the shared motion.
Worked example. c, a, d, and g all begin with a curved stroke, so they are one letter formation family.
Optional challenge. From a mixed set such as c, l, a, t, o, i, sort curve-start letters from straight-start letters and explain one group.
What to notice. Save a photo of the practice row or a parent note: “practiced c/a/d/g curve family.”
Compare teaching approaches
Teaching approaches
Gakuva’s recommended starting approach is selected. You can still compare every option.
1 approach
Some letters are in the same formation family because they start with the same movement. c, a, d, and g all start with a curve. Practicing the shared start helps handwriting stay consistent.
Spend about 10 minutes practicing the curve family c, a, d, g.
Family records and proof options
Keep a record of your learning
Save photos, notes, and attendance. Export a proof packet for compliance or portfolio reviews.
Learning resources
Reviewed external links that reinforce this concept. They do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.
BBC Bitesize · Practice link — not the full lesson
Forming Letters Correctly
KS1 guide to the four handwriting letter families (long ladder, one-armed robot, curly caterpillar, zigzag). Adult-guided video/demo—not independent graded tracing.
Free · no login required to view · BBC account optional · no ads observed
Review and open practice
After watching, photograph paper practice of one letter from each family with starting points marked, plus a parent note naming the four families.
Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.
Open practice (new tab)Source, access and review notes
KS1 guide to the four handwriting letter families (long ladder, one-armed robot, curly caterpillar, zigzag). Adult-guided video/demo—not independent graded tracing.
After watching, photograph paper practice of one letter from each family with starting points marked, plus a parent note naming the four families.
Free · no login required to view · BBC account optional · no ads observed
Unknown — link only
BBC Bitesize · Practice link — not the full lesson
Long Ladder Letters
Focused demo for long ladder letters (l, i, t, u, j, y). Pair with paper practice in the same session.
Free · no login required to view · BBC account optional · no ads observed
Review and open practice
Photograph three ladder letters formed top-to-bottom with correct start points.
Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.
Open practice (new tab)Source, access and review notes
Focused demo for long ladder letters (l, i, t, u, j, y). Pair with paper practice in the same session.
Photograph three ladder letters formed top-to-bottom with correct start points.
Free · no login required to view · BBC account optional · no ads observed
Unknown — link only
BBC Bitesize · Practice link — not the full lesson
One-Armed Robot Letters
Focused demo for one-armed robot letters (b, h, k, m, n, p, r).
Free · no login required to view · BBC account optional · no ads observed
Review and open practice
Photograph three robot-family letters with correct entry strokes noted by an adult.
Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.
Open practice (new tab)Source, access and review notes
Focused demo for one-armed robot letters (b, h, k, m, n, p, r).
Photograph three robot-family letters with correct entry strokes noted by an adult.
Free · no login required to view · BBC account optional · no ads observed
Unknown — link only
Check understanding
- Group letters by similar strokes (e.g. c, a, d, g, o family — all start with a curve)
- Explain why certain letters are practised together
- Form letters within the same family consistently using the shared movement pattern
“Does your child understand that certain letters are formed in similar ways — for example, "c," "a," "d," and "g" all start with the same curved stroke — and practise those families together?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- English
- Domain
- Handwriting & Transcription
- Age range
- Ages 5–6
Standards