These letters have a line down and then a hump: r, n, m, h, and b and p with a round bump. They all begin with a line pulled down, as in Start at the Top.
- n: pull down from the middle line. Go back up the line, then over the hump and down.
- r: like n, but stop just after the top of the hump.
- m: like n with a second hump the same size.
- h: a tall line from the top line, then the hump of n.
- b and p: a line down (tall for b, a tail for p), then back up and around into a round bump.
Key idea
Line down first, then back up the line and over: the hump always starts on the line.
Why it works
When the hump grows out of the line, the letter holds together. A hump that starts away from the line leaves a gap, and n can look like r and a little line.
Worked example: n or h?
What is the only difference between n and h?
- Both have a line down and a hump.
- n’s line starts at the middle line.
- h’s line starts at the top line.
Answer: h has a tall line; n has a short one.
Common mistake
Starting the hump away from the line, or making the second hump of m smaller or bigger than the first. Check: both humps of m should reach the middle line and come down to the baseline.
For the grown-up. Some children slide back up the line without lifting the pencil; others lift and start the hump on the line, as the numbered picture shows. Both make a good n. What matters is that the hump starts on the line.