How would you suggest we teach children to write their names?

Name-writing in Nursery is a critical skill, but it can sometimes get practitioners in a bit of a muddle when thinking about phonics.

Very few names are CVC words and many definitely belong in Phase 5! Our blog ‘Should we start teaching GPCs in Nursery?' doesn’t advocate the systematic teaching of GPCs.  

So, how best to approach teaching names?

Well, here is our suggested approach:

• Provide a model of their name for children to trace over and then copy independently.
• Ensure children are supported as often as possible with their name-writing.
• As you sit with them, talk about the shapes and direction the letters in their name make. For example, ‘That’s right, the next letter goes straight down. Then you put a dot on top.’
• By practising the language of direction and words like ‘curved’ and ‘straight’ you will prepare them for the handwriting mantras in Reception.

You can also talk to children about the sounds different letters make: all children should know the initial sound of their name and some might be ready to talk about other letters too. For example, ‘This letter makes the /e/ sound. /e/ for Erin.’