Cementing bad habits, or figuring things out?

[Tangerine]

My just turned 5 daughter is a writing machine. She writes constantly. I've noticed she does lots of her lines bottom to top, and just generally makes some letters strangely, since she has figured out how to make letters without instruction in proper formation. If she continues this much writing until she turns 6, which is when I was considering starting handwriting, is she going to be set in her ways? I didn't want to start handwriting instruction because I don't think she's has the fine motor skills to be successful, and therefore not frustrated with it, but I also don't want to have to break habits, which would also be frustrating for her. I'd love input from the hive.

[Jean in Newcastle]

I would give her some gentle instruction such as "try that letter with the line starting from the top" (and show her). I wouldn't push it at this age but on occasion find a way so that you can be doing the same thing next to her so that she can see what you are doing and do the same.

[lionfamily1999]

I agree with Jean. No need to make it into a class, just correct when you notice it :) Think of it like correcting her speech. You would correct her grammar or enunciation, even if you weren't teaching her those things in a class, iykwIm :p

[Ellie]

I'd do some practicing in a fun way--on the kitchen table using Cool Whip or chocolate pudding, writing lines and circles *this* way. It will be more difficult to correct when she's older.