Printing may be something that young children do not always enjoy. Calligraphy writing is more like art, and those who enjoy drawing will enjoy the flourishes and loops that come with calligraphic writing. Here are some ideas to get the homeschool students started on calligraphy.
Faux Calligraphy
There is no need to buy the specialized nibs and dip ink for a beginner. Half the time a homeschool parent is strapped for cash, and investing in an activity that the homeschool student does not continue is simply foolish. Get them a gel pen which flows well. Get it in 0.5, 0.75, and 0.9 mm tips. This will give them the freedom to take on different sized lettering. Hand them the different sized nibs and dipping ink once they have stayed with the hobby for a while.
Decide the Script to Master
Most of us think of calligraphy as beautiful, handwritten lettering. The truth is, just as we have different fonts on the computer, there are different scripts for calligraphy as well. German gothic, roundhouse, copperplate, classic are some popular ones that have online tutorials available for free on YouTube. There are good worksheets available at the Post Man’s Knock, but they are not free. Let your homeschool students decide the style they want to work with and master.
Practice Makes Perfect
Remind your homeschool student that they will not be able to do calligraphy as fast as normal writing. If they go fast the appearance of the letters will be shaky and scraggly. Going slow will improve the quality of what they write. It will also allow them to enjoy the process of creating something unique and beautiful. If you are looking for calligraphy friendly to a left handed child, you may like to check out Logos Calligraphy. Yes it makes the process simpler for the lefty.
Once the homeschool students have mastered the basics of the loops and curves, have them come up with their own pieces of lettering. They can write their name on their books. Or create a sign for the homeschool classroom. Maybe a card or two for relatives. The possibilities are endless.