Automaticity & Fluency:
The Foundation of Powerful Writing

Join our National Thought Leader for English, Nicola Romaine, along with special guests Dr. Elaine Allen and Dr. Mellissa Prunty, in this free, research-informed video exploring the critical role foundational writing skills play in learning at all ages.

Discover why automaticity in handwriting and spelling isn't just a mechanical task, it’s a vital stepping stone to fluent, expressive writing. This insightful session will transform your understanding of how these core skills underpin powerful writing development.
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Evidence-informed ideas explored in this TeachMeet

Automaticity

How the critical role of automaticity in handwriting and spelling—and fluency in sentence production—is grounded in research and essential for writing development across all age groups.

Spelling

Spelling is more than just phonics. What comes next? How to integrate phonology, morphology, and etymology throughout the primary years.


Fluency

The research-backed importance of handwriting fluency as a key component of writing automaticity, along with practical strategies to support legible and efficient handwriting in all learners.

Strategies

How handwriting automaticity and spelling proficiency are deeply interconnected, and how to use practical, multisensory strategies to reinforce both together.

Research

The research highlighting the crucial link between oral language, vocabulary development, and fluent sentence production—and how to foster both with impactful, classroom-ready strategies.

The presenters 

Dr Elaine Allen
Dr Elaine Allen is a recently retired executive Headteacher and Strategic Lead of the Blackpool English Hub but continues to lead the Blackpool Literacy Strategy. She served as Chair of the English Hub Council from the beginning of the English Hubs programme until March 2024 and continues to be actively involved in literacy advisory work for the Department for Education.
Dr Mellissa Prunty
Mellissa is an Associate Professor in Occupational Therapy at the University of Limerick and Chair of the National Handwriting Association. She completed her PhD on handwriting difficulties in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) in 2014.
Nicola Romaine 
Nicola is Twinkl's National English Lead. Her career spans over 20 years in education, encompassing roles as a teacher, subject lead, deputy headteacher, and Local Authority Literacy Advisor, and as a lead author on NPQH, NPQSL and NPQLL programmes. fi

Testimonials

Lots of things to think about and learn more about

The session was wonderful, full of information and insight. 'Fluent handwriting is crucial for efficient note-taking and other academic demands, directly supporting a student's learning and success.'