Six letters start the same way as c: c, o, a, d, g and q. Start just below the middle line, on the right side, and curve back toward the left, down and around.
For c, stop at the bottom. For o, keep going and close the circle. For a, d, g and q, close the circle, then add a line down on the right: short for a, tall for d (it starts at the top line), and a tail for g and q.
Key idea
Circle letters start like c: just below the middle line, curving back to the left and around.
Why it works
When every circle goes the same way, the line down meets the circle right where the pencil ends up, so a, d, g and q come out neat and closed.
Worked example: Write a
How do you write a?
- Start just below the middle line, on the right.
- Curve back to the left, down to the baseline and up around to close the circle.
- Lift, and pull a short line down on the right side, from the middle line to the baseline.
Answer: A c-curve closed into a circle, then a line down.
Common mistake
Starting the circle at the bottom, or going around the other way (like a clock’s hands). Then the line down doesn’t meet the circle. Check that the curve starts by going left, like c.
For the grown-up. If your child draws circles the other way, trace a large c in the air together, then on paper. The d in b, d, p and q depends on this habit.