If you're looking for fonts
which mimic lettering used to teach printed letters and
handwriting skills, you have come to the right place.
The so-called "DN
Kid Letters" is a complete set of fonts for teachers
and parents which make it fun and easy to teach
writing skills to kids.
These
fonts have been developed to assits teachers and
parents teaching handwriting.
The "DN Kid Letters" fonts give you
resources to help students develop:
- Pattern movements and other basic
motor skills.
- Proficiency in letter formation and
shaping.
- Appropriate letter size and spacing.
The complete set includes dotted fonts,
fonts with arrows, with guidelines etc.
With these fonts, you can create your
own exercises and study books with the phrases and
curriculum that you consider most appropriate for
learning handwriting. These fonts have been created
with the help of teachers to ensure best results and
ease of use. Nevertheless, note that my aim is not
to substitute the school workbooks. The fonts are
intended to be a supplement to them.
They work within
any Windows, Linux or Macintosh standard application
and can be used with such programs as Microsoft
Word, Claris Works, Apple Works, TexEdit, AbiWord,
OpenOffice, WordPad and so on. For more information,
please see below.
HANDWRITING STYLES
Handwriting or penmanship is the art of writing with the hand
and a writing instrument. Different styles of writing have
been popular at different times and in different countries.
Styles of handwriting are also called hands or scripts. There are a
variety of handwriting styles. The most important methods for
teaching children to write (at least in USA) are the
Zaner-Bloser method and the D'Nealian system. Starting at the
beginning of the 20th century Zaner-Bloser became the dominant
method in North America. Starting in the early sixties, the
D'Nealian system from the beginning has gained popularity in
many school districts in the United States.
The D'Nealian system was designed as a method to
alleviate the problems with teaching children the standard
Zaner-Bloser script method and the subsequent difficulty in
transition to cursive writing. D'Nealian script was unique in
that the manuscript form has many similarities to the cursive
version. With D'Nealian manuscript, there's hardly any
transition. That's the feature that has made this handwriting
method the favorite of teachers in USA. All you do is add a
few simple joining strokes and -presto- you're writing in D'Nealian cursive.
A school district usually decides to teach one
style. If you have a child who is not yet attending school and
is ready to write, call the school office or contact the
kindergarten teacher to learn the handwriting style used.
Naturally you always have the option of teaching your child
another method style, but it can be a needless frustration for
the child.
Homeschool parents have more options. Take time
to familiarize yourself with the various styles. Most start
with a manuscript form for the first several years, then move
into a cursive form.
Whatever handwriting style your children use, please make
handwriting practice fun!
CHARACTERISTICS OF "DN KID LETTERS" FONTS
As
mentioned above there are many styles of handwriting,
including: cursive, manuscript, Italic etc, each with its own
letter formation and variation.
The "DN Kid Letters" set of fonts belongs to the
D'Nealian manuscript style of handwriting.
The "DN Kid
Letters" family includes 10 different fonts with the
ability to trace dots, lines, arrows and a
combination of these. Please see samples below.
These manuscript fonts contain all the
common signs, as well as accented characters - acute
accent, grave accent, circumflex, tilde, diaeresis
or umlaut mark, ring, cedilla, ae and oe ligatures,
o slash and German double s - for Western European
languages (Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian,
German, Dutch, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish and
Icelandic, among others) and current symbols.
The "DN
Kid
Letters"
typefaces
offer
a
family
of
10 font styles suited to all exercise sheets and
workbooks: plain, bold (heavy), dotted, with tracing
arrows, with or without guidelines.
This typographic pack contains fonts
covering all the method's curriculum.
Here are samples of "DN
Kid
Letters"
and
a
brief
description
of
each of the handwriting fonts.
1.- DN
Kid Letters. Manuscript
font without guidelines. This font is the basic.

2.- DN
Kid Letters Bold. Manuscript
font without guidelines. This font can be used by
the teacher to stress indications.

3.- DN
Kid Letters Guided. Manuscript
font with four guidelines (ruled lines).

4.- DN
Kid Letters with Arrows. Manuscript
font with tracing arrows for beginners. Arrows give
hints about how to start letters.

5.- DN
Kid Letters with Dots and Arrows. Manuscript
dotted font with arrows and stroke
numbers which offer guidance in direction and sequence.
6.-DN Kid Letters Dotted.
Manuscript
dotted font for tracing.

7.- DN
Kid Letters Dotted and Guided. Manuscript
dotted font with four guidelines (ruled
lines).

8.- DN
Kid Letters with Arrows and Lines. Manuscript
font with four guidelines (ruled
lines)
and arrows.
9.- DN Kid Letters
with Dots, Arrows and Lines.
Manuscript
dotted font with arrows and four
guidelines (ruled lines) which offer
guidance in direction.
10.- DN Kid Letters Outline.
This
manuscript font is an another approach to where to
start letters.

Note that the guided fonts have been
designed so that the guidelines print out at the
same time as the letters.
To create continuous lines without
letters (only guidelines) use the space bar (space
key), the logical sign (key ¬) or the vertical line
(key |).
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Teach children how to write numbers and
the alphabet by tracing the characters of these
dotted fonts.
Make writing a connect-the-dot game
using a dotted font. Creating your own worksheets is
fun and will often produce an enthusiastic response
from your children!
These fonts for children offer a unique
material to let children experiment and discover the
first letterforms. Teach your child to write the fun
way.
Start with the kid's name, then
progress to the names of everyone in the family,
favourite teddies and friends, and then on to easy
words and so son. Type your words in large letters.
There is no theoretical limit to the
size of letters, besides the practical limit of the
application used to manage layout. They can be
printed very big to post on the blackboard, for
instance.

Like any standard font, the "DN Kid
Letters" family of fonts can be used in colors for
personalized layouts and color-coded exercises.
Use color to make the worksheets
appealing, and add small images using clipart from
within Word or from graphic sites on the net.

For further information about these fonts
including more visual examples and worksheets, please read the
User's Manual (21 pages, PDF format) included in the
package you can download below.
SOFTWARE
REQUIREMENTS, INSTALLATION AND USE
The "DN
Kid Letters" fonts are compatible with Windows (any version),
Mac OS9 and OSX, and Linux.
In fact, this product is not really a program. It is a set of
10 fonts to be used with other applications.
These are standard fonts (8 bits, TTF format), so they can be
used running any Windows version and any word processor.
You can also use them running Linux. I have successfully tried
them under Debian with OpenOffice.
These
fonts should be usable on Macintosh running OSX9 and OSX. This
is not a problem, since Mac recognizes PC TrueType fonts
without complaint.
In any case, if you are very interested and you
wish to get a Mac version of these fonts (bin and dfont
formats), I can produce them in a Mac native format for you.
Installation is very easy, simply copy and paste
the font files into your Fonts folder located somewhere in
your hard disk (Library/Fonts in a Mac or Windows/Fonts in a
PC).
After installation they can be used in any
program such as word processing or graphic programs, like any other
standard font. Simply access the font list and you will see
the new fonts appear with the existing fonts from before.
Select the font you wish from the font list, (a
dotted font, for instance), choose the correct size*, enter
the sequences for your child to trace and print. Your child
can then begin to connect the dots and learn the shape of the
letters and numbers.
*You may use large sizes for better display
(suggested size-30 points or up).
EXERCISE
SHEETS
The "DN Kid Letters" fonts
allow teachers and parents to create custom hand-lettered
exercise sheets and classroom signage.
Doubtless these fonts will make your job so
much easier since you will be able to build custom
assignments for your kids and individualized practice
sheets for each student in your classroom in minutes. They
save a lot of preparation time.
The worksheets below were
developed with Kindergarten children in mind. They provide
letter recognition, phonics, reading and writing practice.
Please
pass the cursor over the following images to see
worksheets created with these fonts:


(Aa) Letter formation - 

(Bb) Letter formation - 

(Cc) Letter formation


(Dd) Letter formation - 

(1 and 2) Number formation
On the other hand, children have a wonderful time using
the "DN Kid Letters" fonts to tell stories. It gets them
excited.
Click on the following link to see a document
in PDF format (170 kb, 14 pages) which contains
samples
of
worksheets created in Word with the "DN Kid Letters"
fonts. It will give you an idea of what you can create
yourself with these fonts.
I recommend you to print
it to see exactly how this will look on paper, because all
these fonts are intended primarily for print and may not
show as well on the screen. Please keep in mind that what
you see is not always what you get. These typefaces are
best rendered on the printer, so they print legibly, not
to display at small sizes on the screen.
FREE DOWNLOAD: EVALUATION
VERSION OF "KID LETTERS" FONTS
A package which contains three "DN Kid Letters" fonts in
demo version and an extensive user's manual (21 pages in
PDF format) is available for free download from this site.
It will let you play with the fonts so you can see
if they work for you before buying.
Please note that fonts in the package are identical
to the complete product except that the annoying watermark
"TRYOUT" appears accompanying some letters.
Click on the link below to download the evaluation
font package.
Font
package 410 kb
(Manual in PDF format
+ 3 Demo fonts
)
This is a large file; therefore,
please be patient!
IMPORTANT:
Remember that you must unzip (extract) the files into a
temporary directory and then install the fonts.
PRICE AND LICENSES
The "DN Kid Letters" font package is very cheap, really! A single user license
for the complete
set of 10 fonts costs only US $20,
that's just $2 per each font. It is a real bargain!
With the single user license you are allowed
to use the fonts at school and at home but not to share
them with other teachers or friends. Other friends should
purchase their own copy of the fonts. The font package is
sent you as atttachment to an email message (electronic
delivery). It is important that you have an account which
can receive attachments.
I also offer the possibility to use the fonts
for your whole school. A school site license allows all
teachers at the school site to use the fonts at school and
at home. This license costs only US$100. For that moderate
price, you will be allowed to install the fonts on all
school's computers, as well as teacher's laptops and home
computers.
However, please note that price is for ONE
school, and not for whole district. In this last case I
offer discount for several schools.
Publishing houses are entitled to use the fonts in
printed books or to produce electronic documents which
can be sold in their web pages.
This type of license is also
appropriate for software developers who wish to use the
fonts in free or commercial applications.
Click on the corresponding button below to purchase the
fonts online.
For other alternative methods of payment,
please read the information given in the user's manual or
email me for further details.
Whatever license you choose, please do not
make illegal copies of this software. The software you are
using was produced after months of effort and hard work.
Properly purchasing and licensing the fonts will support
this effort and will help the modest designer of these
fonts get the just reward for his work. Thanks.
After making the payment you will receive the
fonts as attachment to an email message sent to your email
acount.
If you have questions or doubts, please do
not hesitate to contact me.
ONLINE PAYMENT
If
you own a credit or debit card (Visa®, MasterCard®,
Discover®, Maestro®,
and American Express®), you can pay online, which means
purchase can be made in a matter of clicks.
This payment is being backed by PayPal®,
a
global
leader in online payment solutions and credit card
processing. To make payments with PapyPal is easy, fast,
free and secure for buyers. Naturally, your transaction
will be confidential and the information you give will not
be used for any reason other than the use intended. PayPal
protects your security.
(Note:
You are not required to have a Paypal account. By
following the instructions on the Paypal page, you may
make your payment by credit card or bank transfer.)
Depending on your choice, click on the
corresponding button below to purchase the "DN Kid
Letters" fonts online. In order to avoid errors, please
read carefully the information given below before clicking
on the PayPal button to order. Please be careful with your
choosing since depending on it you will get one item or
other.
Option 1) –
Complete font package. Single user license.
"Electronic-only" delivery. The full
package of 10 fonts costs US $20. The 10 "DN Kid Letters"
fonts will be sent as attachment (ZIP file) to
your email account. With the single user license you are allowed
to use the fonts at school and at home, but not to share
them with other teachers or friends.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Option 2) – Complete font package. School
site license.
"Electronic-only"
delivery. US $100.
You will receive the DN KidLetters
font package as attachment (ZIP file) to an email
message.
The
fonts
have not restrictions at all. All features are enabled.
Even the embedding feature is allowed: this means that the
fonts may be embedded in documents to produce PDF
documents running Adobe Acrobat.
For that moderate
price, you will be allowed to install the fonts on all
school's computers, as well as teacher's laptops and home
computers.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Option 3) – Complete font package. Publishing license or developer
license.
"Electronic-only"
delivery. US $50.
You will receive the DN KidLetters
font package as attachment (ZIP file) to an email
message.
The
fonts
have not restrictions at all. All features are enabled.
Even the embedding feature is allowed: this means that the
fonts may be embedded in documents to produce PDF
documents running Adobe Acrobat.
For that moderate
price, publishing
houses are entitled to use the fonts in printed books or
to produce electronic documents which can be sold in their
web pages.
This type of license is also appropriate for software
developers who wish to use the fonts in free or commercial
applications.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IMPORTANT
THINGS TO NOTE :
1.- Whatever option you choose, please send me a message
after making the payment through PayPal in order to
confirm that you are really who ordered the font.
In most cases I will reply to your message
in due time (normally within a day or so), unless I was on
holydays, then it will take a little more time, since I
only will able to check my emails from time to time,
(usually every four days, more or less or even a little
more during the summer) so be patient, however, be sure
that you will receive my response. Sorry for this
inconvenience.
2.- Orders can be placed 7 days a week,
24 hours a day. Your order will be processed within
24-48 hours after receiving the payment.
3.- Evidently, any modification or public distribution of
these fonts is not permited under any circumstance.
Disclaimer:
The aforementioned software bundled with the fonts on
the CDRom is evidently freesoftware or shared programs
which can be freely distributed and all documentations
which the different authors provide remain intact. The
original programs have not been altered at all. I do not
charge users a fee for these programs.
AUTHOR
Just in case you are wondering who is
Juan-José Marcos, click here and you will find some
information about the author of these fonts and
this website.
More fonts designed by the same author here.
SUGGESTIONS AND QUERIES
I
have taken care to see that these fonts work as well as
possible, nevertheless, if you find any fault, feel free
to email me.
Although you do not purchase the fonts,
please, send me comments, suggestions for improvements or
anything else regarding my "DN Kid Letters" fonts. I would
like to know your opinion about my work.
I really would appreciate having users'
feedback.
Such reaction from users will be the deciding
factor in my decision of carrying on with the development
of more fonts for kids (Handriting Without Tears style, for
example).
Do not hesitate to contact me. Thanks.
Do not
hesitate to contact me. Thanks.
If
you are looking for fonts in the Zaner-Bloser style of
handwriting, please click on the following link to
visit my webpage devoted to
fonts
based on the Zaner-Bloser style of handwriting. There
you will find a package of 10 fonts that follow the
guidelines of the Zaner-Bloser method.
juanjmarcos
yahoo.es
Juan-José
Marcos
Plasencia. Spain.
This page last updated on April 2015.
Visits since
1-April-2006