Ready to Write Song and Free Printable

The Ready to Write Song is a fun handwriting warm-up that helps children prepare their bodies, hands, and pencils for writing. Children follow simple movements for posture, breathing, hand warm-ups, pencil grasp, and paper placement.

Use the song before handwriting practice, journal writing, worksheets, or other pencil-and-paper activities. You can download the FREE Ready to Write printable PDF at the bottom of this post.

What Is the Ready to Write Song?

The Ready to Write Song guides children through a complete writing preparation routine. Instead of giving several separate reminders, adults can play the song and let the music guide students through each step.

The routine includes:

• Placing feet flat on the floor
• Sitting comfortably tall
• Taking a slow breath
• Rubbing the hands together
• Squeezing and opening the hands
• Wiggling the fingers
• Picking up the pencil near the writing tip
• Positioning the fingers on the pencil
• Holding the paper with the helper hand
• Getting ready to write

Watch the Ready to Write Song

Play the video and encourage children to complete each action along with the music. The song moves from whole-body preparation to hand warm-ups and then to pencil grasp. Students can hold their pencils in the air for a quick grip check before bringing them down to the paper. This gives teachers, therapists, and parents an opportunity to provide support before writing begins.

Get the Body Ready for Writing

Handwriting begins with more than the fingers. A comfortable and stable sitting position can make it easier for children to use their hands during writing activities. The song reminds students to place their feet flat, sit tall, and relax their shoulders. It also includes a slow breath to create a calm transition into focused work. These cues should be used as flexible reminders rather than rigid rules. Some students may need foot support, alternative seating, adapted writing tools, or a different position to write comfortably.

Warm Up the Hands and Fingers

Before children pick up their pencils, the song includes several easy hand warm-ups:

• Rub the hands together
• Squeeze the hands
• Open the hands wide
• Wiggle the fingers

These movements are simple enough to complete at a desk without extra materials. They can help children shift their attention to their hands and prepare for a fine motor activity. For a whole-body activity before handwriting, try the Alphabet Brain Break Song. Students can move through different alphabet actions before sitting down to write.

Practice Picking Up and Holding the Pencil

The Ready to Write Song breaks pencil pickup into manageable steps. Children are encouraged to pinch the pencil near the writing tip, lift it from the table, and let it rest on the middle finger. The thumb and pointer finger help control the pencil while the middle finger provides support. The ring and pinky fingers rest comfortably against the hand. Not every child will use the same pencil grasp. The goal is a comfortable and functional grasp that allows the child to control the pencil without excessive effort or discomfort.

Remember the Helper Hand

After checking the pencil grip, students bring the pencil down to the paper. The song reminds them to use the opposite hand as a helper hand to keep the paper steady. This final step brings the complete routine together:

• Body ready
• Hands warm
• Pencil positioned
• Paper steady

Once children learn the sequence, adults may be able to use a short cue such as “Ready to write” to remind them of the entire routine.

How to Use the Ready to Write Song

The song can be used with an individual student, a small group, or an entire class. It works well before:

• Handwriting instruction
• Journal writing
• Copying from the board
• Completing worksheets
• Drawing or coloring
• Occupational therapy activities
• Homework

Display the printable while the song plays so students can connect each movement with a visual reminder. The page can also be posted near a writing center or placed inside a student’s folder. With repeated practice, students can begin moving through the steps with fewer adult reminders.

More Songs to Support Early Writing Skills

The Ready to Write Song can be combined with other music and movement activities to create a complete handwriting routine.

The Prewriting Song and FREE Worksheet helps children practice the lines and shapes that form the foundation for letters and numbers. Children can work on vertical lines, horizontal lines, circles, diagonals, crosses, squares, and other early writing forms.

The How to Draw a Person Song and Free Printable Packet combines drawing, body awareness, visual-spatial skills, and following directions. It is a fun activity to use after children have completed the Ready to Write warm-up.

For additional letter formation practice, use the Air Write Letters Song and Free Printable Packet. Children use larger arm movements to form letters in the air before practicing them on paper.