Have students practice their positioning and posture while sitting at a desk or table. Demonstrate how sitting straight up in the chair without slumping can do wonders for their manners and penmanship. Show each student how to hold his pencil or pen. To hold the writing instrument, take it between the index finger and thumb while letting it rest on the middle finger. Students should also pay attention to the way their paper is positioned. Whether left-handed or right-handed, the positioning of the paper should be set to a 45-degree angle.
Show students how to write using a proper amount of space between each letter and word. Have students use the width of their little finger to measure the gap between each word. Remind them that if the words are close together, a reader will have a hard time making sense of what was written.
Show student the differences between each letter size. Use basic alphabet handouts to allow students to work on their lowercase and uppercase letters.
Use a hands-on method in your instruction. Placing your hand over the student's, show her how to form certain letters and to be consistent with her handwriting. Show students how to properly grip the pencil and emphasize the details of writing on the line.
Help students increase their writing speed and fluency with words-per-minute writing games. These games are not only fun, but can aid in developing a child's shorthand skills.