Why Movement Matters Before Writing Helping Children Build the Foundations for Confident Handwriting

Guest article by Aleksandra Mira
Founder of Learn with Aleks Education Group | Qualified Primary Teacher | Handwriting Specialist | Creator of Scribble the SquirrelTM

“My child has so many wonderful ideas, but when it comes to writing them
down, they simply don’t want to.”

It’s something I hear from parents all the time.
Many parents assume that if their child is struggling with handwriting, they simply need to practise writing more. But the truth is, handwriting begins long before a child picks up a pencil. Before little hands are ready to write, children’s bodies need to move. That’s why the partnership between Learn with Aleks Education Group and The Little Gym Chiswick is such a natural fit. Together, we’re helping children build the strong physical foundations they need before handwriting ever begins.

As a qualified primary teacher and handwriting specialist, I’ve spent over ten years helping children develop confidence in their writing. One thing I’ve learnt is that successful handwriting isn’t just about forming letters; it’s about developing the physical skills that make writing feel comfortable, controlled and enjoyable.

Movement Builds the Foundations for Writing

Think about everything a child has to do before they can write a single letter. They need to sit upright, control their shoulders and arms, coordinate both sides of their body, use the small muscles in their hands and guide a pencil
across the page. Those skills don’t develop by tracing worksheets.

They develop through climbing, crawling, balancing, jumping, rolling, throwing, catching and, most importantly, playing. Research consistently shows that physical development plays an important role in handwriting. Children first need strong core muscles, good balance, coordination and hand strength before writing becomes comfortable. In fact, studies have found that children with stronger fine motor skills and better postural control often find handwriting easier, while recent research also suggests that handwriting supports learning and memory in unique ways. Simply put, when children move well, they are far more prepared to write
well.

Why This Partnership Makes Perfect Sense

This is exactly why I’m so excited to be working with The Little Gym Chiswick. The Little Gym has created a wonderful environment where children develop confidence, coordination and body awareness through purposeful movement and play. At Learn with Aleks Education Group, my Scribble the Squirrel programme builds on those physical foundations by introducing children to handwriting through movement, music, storytelling and multisensory activities.
Together, we’re helping children build the confidence, coordination and physical skills they need to become happy, confident writers.

Join Us This September
We’re delighted to be launching two exciting 10-week programmes at The Little Gym Chiswick, designed to support children at different stages of their learning journey.
School Readiness (Ages 3–5)
Every Tuesday | 3:00 pm – 3:45 pm
Designed for preschool children preparing for a confident start to school, this playful class combines movement, music and multisensory activities to develop the essential foundations for handwriting, including balance, coordination, hand strength, pencil control and early mark-making.

Handwriting Adventure Club with Scribble the Squirrel

Reception – Year 3
Every Tuesday | 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
This unique, movement-based handwriting programme helps children develop correct letter formation, letter sizing, spacing, writing stamina and presentation through games, music and Scribble’s exciting adventures. Most importantly, children leave each session feeling proud of their progress, more confident in their abilities and excited to keep writing. Whether your child is getting ready to start Reception or would benefit from extra support with handwriting, we’d love to welcome you this September. Because handwriting doesn’t start with a pencil. It starts with movement. And when children move with confidence, they write with confidence too. Every great handwriting adventure begins with one little Scribble.

About the Author

Aleksandra Mira is the founder of Learn with Aleks Education Group and the creator of Scribble the Squirrel. A qualified primary teacher with over 10 years of experience, she specialises in early years development and handwriting. Through her unique Scribble the Squirrel approach, Aleks combines movement, music, storytelling and multisensory learning to help children build the physical foundations, confidence and resilience needed for successful handwriting. She is passionate about helping every child discover that writing can be enjoyable, achievable and full of adventure.

References
Education Endowment Foundation. Teaching the Skills Needed for Mark-Making
and Letter Formation.
Seo, S. M. (2018). The Effect of Fine Motor Skills on Handwriting Legibility in
Preschool-Age Children.
Flatters, I., et al. (2014). The Relationship Between Postural Stability and Manual
Control in Children.
Van der Weel, F. R., & Van der Meer, A. L. H. (2024). Handwriting but Not
Typewriting Leads to Widespread Brain Connectivity.