Language Arts

Best Handwriting Curriculum for Elementary Kids

If your child is learning to print, the Getty-Dubay Italic series — starting with Letters and Numbers for Me through Printing Power — is the most logical, no-fuss approach we've seen for elementary-age homeschoolers. Below, we break down all three workbooks by age so you know exactly which one to start with.

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Kindergarten · Age 5+

Letters and Numbers for Me

Getty-Dubay Italic Handwriting Series · Book A

This is the right starting point for most kindergartners. The italic letterforms taught here are simpler than traditional manuscript and naturally transition into cursive later — so you're not teaching a style your child will have to unlearn. The pages are clean, appropriately spacious for small hands, and the progression from strokes to letters to simple words feels genuinely well-paced rather than rushed.

It's not flashy. There are no cartoon animals or reward stickers. But if your five-year-old is ready to hold a pencil with some control, this workbook will actually teach them something — not just keep them busy.

Pros

Italic letterforms are easier to form correctly than traditional print
Smooth progression from basic strokes to full letters
Generous line spacing works well for kindergarten hands
Covers both letters and numbers in one workbook
Pairs well with any other kindergarten curriculum

Cons

No color or illustrations — purely functional design
Some kids need more repetition than the book provides
Consumable, so you'll need a new copy per child

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1st Grade · Age 6+

My Printing Book Student Workbook

Getty-Dubay Italic Handwriting Series · Book B

This is our top pick for first grade handwriting. My Printing Book builds directly on the letterforms introduced in Book A, but adds real words, simple sentences, and more sustained practice — which is exactly what a six-year-old needs to build muscle memory and confidence. The pace is steady without being overwhelming, and the italic style keeps letters distinct enough that kids rarely reverse them the way they do with traditional manuscript b's and d's.

If your child skipped Book A or comes from a different program, they can usually jump in here without issue — the early pages provide enough review to get them oriented.

Pros

Strong letter-reversal prevention with italic style
Moves into words and sentences — not just isolated letters
Works as a standalone even without Book A
Simple enough for independent work with light supervision
Consistent format reduces learning curve for the child

Cons

Still no illustrations — won't appeal to kids who need visual motivation
Progresses faster than some first graders are ready for
No teacher guide included in the workbook itself

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2nd Grade · Age 7+

Printing Power Student Workbook

Getty-Dubay Italic Handwriting Series · Book C

Printing Power is where the series shifts from teaching letters to building real handwriting fluency. Second graders practice longer sentences, improve spacing and consistency, and start writing at a pace that can keep up with their thinking. It's a natural continuation of Book B, and by the end of this workbook most kids have a genuinely legible, confident printing style.

This book also works well as a remedial resource for third or fourth graders whose handwriting has gotten sloppy — the clean italic approach can reset bad habits faster than most parents expect.

Pros

Builds writing fluency, not just letter formation
Great for remediation in older kids with sloppy habits
Longer practice passages hold attention better at this age
Natural bridge toward cursive if you continue the series
Appropriate challenge level for capable second graders

Cons

May feel repetitive to kids who already write neatly
No separate teacher edition — parent guidance relies on the main series guide
Line spacing tightens, which can frustrate kids with larger handwriting

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★ Our Recommendations

Which Book Should You Buy?

All three workbooks are from the same Getty-Dubay Italic series, and they're genuinely worth working through in order. But if you're only buying one, match it to your child's grade — the skill gaps between books are real and intentional.

Our overall favorite for the most homeschool families is My Printing Book (Book B), because first grade is the highest-stakes year for building correct habits. Get it right here and the rest comes easier.

🌱 Best for Kindergarten

Letters and Numbers for Me

Age 5+ · Book A

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⭐ Our Top Pick

My Printing Book

Age 6+ · Book B

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✏️ Best for 2nd Grade

Printing Power

Age 7+ · Book C

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Frequently Asked Questions

Questions we hear often from homeschool parents shopping for handwriting curriculum.

What age should kids start formal handwriting practice?

Most children are ready to begin structured handwriting between ages 5 and 6 — once they can hold a pencil with a functional grip and trace basic lines with reasonable control. Starting too early can actually build bad habits if fine motor skills aren't there yet. If your five-year-old tires out quickly or grips the pencil very tightly, give it a few more months and focus on fine motor play instead. The Letters and Numbers for Me workbook is a gentle entry point that won't frustrate kids who are just ready.

Is italic handwriting better than traditional print for kids?

For many kids, yes — and here's the practical reason why: italic letters are formed with fewer strokes and have less ambiguity between similar letters like b, d, p, and q. This matters a lot in first and second grade when reversals are common. Italic also transitions more naturally into joined or cursive writing later, so you're not teaching your child to unlearn a style. The Getty-Dubay approach has been used in schools and homeschools for decades with solid results. That said, if your child is already well-established in traditional manuscript and writing legibly, there's no reason to switch — consistency matters more than the style itself.

How long should handwriting practice be each day?

For kindergarten and first grade, 10 to 15 minutes of focused practice is plenty — and often more effective than longer sessions, because young children's fine motor focus drops off quickly. By second grade, 15 to 20 minutes is reasonable. The key is daily consistency over long sessions. A few pages from one of these workbooks, done neatly and without rushing, is worth far more than a full worksheet done sloppily just to finish it. If your child is resisting, that's often a sign they're being pushed too long — shorten the session before you shorten the curriculum.