--- title: "Writing digits 0-9" description: "Recognise clear digits and say how a 5 is formed, say the order of parts for a 2, and say digit size next to capital letters and shapes that stay readable" canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/writing-digits-0-9-mt_oAK9GXSfqV source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/writing-digits-0-9-mt_oAK9GXSfqV.md retrieved: 2026-11-13 --- > **Agent view.** This is the Markdown twin of the page, for tools and assistants. > When to use this site, and the call that answers each job: https://lightmysky.com/agent-instructions.md > API description (OpenAPI 3.1): https://lightmysky.com/openapi.json · Authentication: https://lightmysky.com/auth.md > Pricing: https://lightmysky.com/pricing.md · Catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms.txt · Full catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms-full.txt > Every machine-readable file on this domain: https://lightmysky.com/.well-known/ai-catalog.json > Ask for Markdown with `Accept: text/markdown`, a `.md` address, or `?mode=agent`. # Writing digits 0-9 Recognise clear digits and say how a 5 is formed, say the order of parts for a 2, and say digit size next to capital letters and shapes that stay readable Subject: English · Area: Handwriting & Transcription · Ages 5 to 6 Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/writing-digits-0-9-mt_oAK9GXSfqV ## Ready when they can - Say the starting point and strokes for a 5, and say a 2 starts with a curve at the top - Say a digit should be as tall as a capital letter - Say why a clear digit is easy to read, such as closed loops and the right way round ## Lesson: Writing digits 0-9 Every digit has its own shape. You draw each one the same way every time. Then when you write your age or your house number, everyone can read it right. *(drawing: Look closely at how each digit is shaped.)* Most digits start at the top. Put your pencil down there, then move down or curve around from there. Starting in the same spot every time makes your digits come out the same shape. **Example.** Ben writes a 5. He starts at the top on the left. He draws a short line across to the right. Then he lifts his pencil and puts it back at the top on the left. He goes down a short way on the left. Then he curves right and around at the bottom. Digits come in shape families. The digits 1, 4, and 7 are made of straight lines. The digits 0, 3, 6, 8, and 9 are curvy. The digits 2 and 5 mix lines and a curve. When you write a 2, start with a curve at the top, slant down, then finish with a flat line at the bottom. Round shapes need to close all the way. A 0 with a gap on the right can look like the letter C. The digit 8 has two loops, one on top of the other, and both loops close up tight. A 6 keeps its one loop down at the bottom, and a 9 keeps its one loop up at the top. Digits have a size as well as a shape. Write your numbers as tall as your capital letters, so a digit stands the same height as a B beside it. Two equal heights stacked are twice as tall as one of them. **Recap.** Write each digit the same way every time, sized just right. ## Practice 22 questions on this page, each with its working shown. ## Optional connections - [Sitting, pencil grip and lowercase letters](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/sitting-pencil-grip-and-lowercase-letters-mt_WBfj79OqXz) ## Opens up - [Reading and writing numbers to 20](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/reading-and-writing-numbers-to-20-mt_fR0UtsSREU)