Numbers are written from the top too. Every number is as tall as a capital: from the top line to the baseline.
| Number | How it goes |
|---|---|
| 0 | Start at the top, curve down to the left, around the bottom and up to close. |
| 1 | Start at the top line and pull straight down. |
| 2 | Start near the top on the left, curve up and around to the right, slant down to the bottom left, then go across. |
| 3 | Start near the top on the left, curve around to the middle, then around again to the bottom. |
| 4 | Slant down from the top and go across. Lift, then a line down from the top line. |
Key idea
Numbers start at the top: 0 curves left first, and 2 and 3 curve to the right.
Why it works
People need to read numbers exactly: in a phone number or a math answer, a 4 that looks like a 9 is a different number.
Worked example: Write 4
How many strokes make 4, and which comes first?
- Stroke 1: slant down from the top, then straight across.
- Lift the pencil.
- Stroke 2: a line down from the top line, crossing the first stroke.
Answer: Two strokes; the slant and across come first.
Common mistake
Starting 0 at the bottom, or writing 3 backward. Check 3: both of its curves bulge to the right.
For the grown-up. Writing numbers 0 to 20 is a kindergarten math goal in the Common Core. Writing the numbers on a calendar or a page of math is good practice.