Handwriting can be difficult for children with fine motor and sensory processing difficulties. For this reason, it may soon become a non-preferred activity. This makes it really tough to get kids to engage in handwriting tasks without seeing undesirable behaviors like whining, defiance, or avoidance altogether. One of the best ways to remedy this problem is to make it fun! A great way to make handwriting fun is by turning it into a game. Kids love to play games. Make handwriting a game by using foam dice from the Dollar Tree. I love these dice because they are so versatile. The sides have a laminated surface that allows you to customize them as you’d like. Use a dry-erase marker to write commands on each side of the die. Each command corresponds to the skill the child or children need to work on. For example, letter placement skills or where to place letters on the line. “4 tall letters, 5 short letters, 3 “diver” or go under letters, etc. The kids are asked to roll the die and write whatever it lands on. You can make it simple or more challenging based on the level the child or children are at. Perfect for doing during therapy sessions, as a class, or at home. All the supplies can be gathered for pennies on the dollar at your local Dollar Tree.
Category Archives: How to Improve Handwriting Skills
Hand Dominance: How to Help Kids Who Switch Hands
Most people are inclined to use one hand over the other. Repeated use of the preferred hand leads to hand dominance. Your dominant hand is your skilled hand, the hand that is better at performing intricate tasks like drawing, handwriting, and using a fork or a spoon. Try writing a note or spreading peanut butter on a piece of bread using your non-dominant hand. You will quickly see how one hand is more skilled than the other. This post explains how to help children who have difficulty establishing hand dominance.
How to Improve Handwriting Legibility: Letter Formation
Hello again! I hope you’ve enjoyed my Handwriting Series. If you’re joining me for this first time, welcome! In the series, I’ve covered why handwriting legibility is so important. I’ve broken down the components of handwriting legibility and provided tips regarding how to address issues with acquiring them. In this post, I will cover the most important component of handwriting legibility, letter formation. Letter formation is the ability to form letters of the alphabet correctly and following a standard (e.g. the method taught in school). Being able to form letters correctly, in a smooth, effortless manner is called handwriting fluency. Handwriting fluency is a vital part of academic success and plays a major role in literacy. Handwriting fluency begins with learning letter formation.
Handwriting Legibility: Why Is It Important?
On my blog, I strive to provide insight into the complex issue of handwriting difficulties, the varying factors that may contribute to its cause, and above all, the importance of providing intervention at the onset to prevent hard-to-break habits and further problems in school and life.
How to Improve Handwriting Legibility: Pressure Grading (how much force to apply)
On my blog, I strive to provide insight into the complex issue of handwriting difficulties, the varying factors that may contribute to its cause, and above all, the importance of providing intervention at the onset to prevent hard-to-break habits and further problems in school and in life. In this post, I will discuss the skill of pressure grading or knowing how much force to apply when writing, coloring, or drawing. I will also provide tips, strategies, and resources to help kids who struggle with acquiring this skill.
How to Improve Handwriting Legibility: Spacing
This post focuses on how to help kids learn how to space between and within words or improve visual processing skills (spatial relations).
Letter Reversals, Should You Be Concerned?
What are letter reversals? Letter reversals simply means writing letters backward. Letter Reversals are actually quite common in all children. They typically resolve by the age of 7. By third grade reversals may still be present, but only occasionally. In typical development, it takes time for children to gain a solid picture in their minds of what each letter looks like. Then they must come up with and carry out the motor plan required to mimic the visual image in their brain. Believe it or not, there is still more to developing the skill of handwriting, but that is not the focus of this post. Here I will focus on the topic of reversals.
Eight Handwriting Strategies for Children With Autism
It is with great enthusiasm that I share an article that I’ve written for the outstanding publication Autism Parenting Magazine. In the May 2021 issue, I share strategies that parents can use to prepare their children for the handwriting demands of kindergarten and beyond. These strategies are also recommended for teachers, those who homeschool, or anyone who provides care for children with autism.
ADHD and Handwriting: Part Two
What you need to know about ADHD and handwriting difficulties.
ADHD and Handwriting: Part One
What you need to know about ADHD and handwriting skills.