Language Arts · Handwriting

Best Handwriting Curriculum for Elementary Kids: 3 Printing Workbooks That Actually Work

If you want a no-nonsense handwriting curriculum that progresses logically from kindergarten through second grade, the Handwriting Without Tears printing series is the one I keep coming back to — and the one I recommend to other homeschool families first. These three workbooks cover ages 5 through 8+, build on each other deliberately, and don't assume a classroom setting.

Here's a straight look at each level so you can pick the right one for where your child is right now.

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Kindergarten · Age 5+

Letters and Numbers for Me Workbook — Kindergarten

★★★★★

This is the right starting point for most kindergartners — especially kids who haven't held a pencil much or who are coming to handwriting a little later than expected. The workbook teaches capital letters first (the approach Handwriting Without Tears is known for), which genuinely does make things easier for young kids because capitals don't require the transitions that lowercase does.

The pages are clean and uncluttered. There's enough repetition to build muscle memory without being so repetitive that kids check out. Numbers are folded in throughout, not crammed into the back as an afterthought. For a kindergarten-aged child, this workbook is well-paced and honest about what that age can handle.

Pros

Capital-letters-first approach reduces confusion
Simple, uncluttered page layouts
Numbers integrated throughout, not siloed
Appropriate pacing for 5–6 year olds
Pairs well with the HWT manipulatives

Cons

Consumable workbook — one child, one book
Parent guide sold separately if you want scripted lessons
Some kids will move through it quickly and need the next level fast

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1st Grade · Age 6+

My Printing Book Student Workbook — 1st Grade

★★★★★

This is the sweet spot of the series and the one I'd call the core printing curriculum. By first grade, kids are ready to tackle lowercase letters — and this workbook introduces them in a smart, grouped order rather than alphabetically. Lowercase letters are grouped by formation similarity, which means kids build on what they already know instead of starting fresh with each new letter.

You also get more sentence and word-level practice here, which matters. Isolated letter drilling only gets you so far. The transition into actual writing contexts — even simple ones — is where handwriting starts to stick. If your child is anywhere in the 6–7 range and ready to take printing seriously, this is the workbook to start with.

Pros

Lowercase letters taught in logical formation groups
Includes sentence-level writing practice
Clear, consistent formatting on every page
Solid amount of practice without being bloated
Works well as a standalone or in sequence

Cons

Consumable — can't reuse for siblings without repurchasing
Some advanced 6-year-olds may need to start here and move to level 3 quickly
Illustrations are simple — kids who like visual appeal may find pages plain

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2nd Grade · Age 7+

Printing Power Student Workbook — 2nd Grade

★★★★☆

Printing Power is the natural next step after My Printing Book, and it earns its place in the sequence. At this level, kids are expected to have the basics down and the focus shifts to fluency — writing more, writing faster, and writing with better consistency. The practice passages are longer, which is what second graders actually need.

One honest caveat: if your child already writes reasonably well and neatly, this workbook may feel like review territory. It's best suited for kids who still have inconsistency in their printing — size variation, spacing issues, letter reversals — and need structured reinforcement before (or instead of) moving to cursive.

Pros

Shifts focus from formation to fluency — appropriate for the age
Longer practice passages build real writing stamina
Good for addressing persistent printing issues before cursive
Consistent with the earlier books — no learning curve on format
Works as a bridge for kids not yet ready for cursive

Cons

Unnecessary for kids who already print neatly and consistently
Less creative content than some competing 2nd grade programs
Consumable workbook — same cost-per-child limitation

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Our Picks by Grade

Which Workbook Should You Buy?

If I had to give you a one-sentence answer: start with the level that matches your child today, not where you hope they'll be. Placing a kid in a level that's too advanced because you want to "catch up" usually backfires — it builds frustration, not skill.

The kindergarten book is genuinely appropriate for kindergartners, not a watered-down placeholder. The first grade book is the heart of the series. The second grade book has a clear purpose but a narrower audience. Buy the one that fits, and move up when your child is ready.

Best for Kindergarten

Letters and Numbers for Me

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Best for 1st Grade

My Printing Book

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Best for 2nd Grade

Printing Power

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Frequently Asked Questions

How is Handwriting Without Tears different from other printing programs?

The biggest difference is the letter-teaching sequence. Most programs introduce letters in alphabetical order. HWT groups them by how they're formed — starting with capital letters (which are made of simple lines and curves) and then moving to lowercase letters in groups that share similar strokes. This means kids aren't relearning how to hold a pencil and think about formation simultaneously for every new letter. It also delays lowercase until kids have a solid foundation, which genuinely reduces reversals and confusion. It's not magic, but the logic behind the sequence is sound and most parents see results fairly quickly.

Do I need the teacher's guide or can I just use the student workbook?

You can absolutely use just the student workbook, and most homeschool families do. The pages are self-explanatory — there are letter models, guided practice lines, and clear visual cues for where to start each stroke. The teacher's guide adds scripted lessons, activity ideas, and multi-sensory extension activities (like using the wooden pieces or slate chalkboards), which is useful if you want a more structured approach or if your child is struggling. But if you're a confident teacher who can look at a letter and explain its formation, save the money and skip the guide for now. You can always add it later.

My child is in 2nd grade but still struggles with basic letter formation — should I go back to the 1st grade book?

Yes, and don't feel weird about it. Placement based on grade level is a school-system habit — in homeschooling, you have the freedom to put your child exactly where they need to be. If a 7 or 8-year-old is still reversing letters, writing inconsistent sizes, or struggling with basic lowercase formation, the My Printing Book (1st grade level) will address those gaps directly without being babyish. Starting at the right level builds confidence faster than struggling through material that assumes skills that aren't there yet. Get the foundation solid, then move up. It usually takes less time than you'd think.