Learn how to build strong pre-writing foundations in preschool and kindergarten using OT-approved strategies that support handwriting success.
Tag Archives: Handwriting Difficulties
What Is Visual Closure and Why Does It Matter for Handwriting & Fine Motor Skills?
As a pediatric occupational therapist, handwriting concerns are one of the most common reasons for referrals. When assessing these challenges, I often start by evaluating a child’s visual perceptual skills. Time and time again, I’ve noticed that difficulties with visual closure play a significant role in their struggles.
How Do You Know When Tracing Is The Right Option?
As a pediatric OT, I’m not a huge fan of tracing, sometimes, it’s a necessary step to help kids learn how to write. But how do you know when tracing is the right option? Tracing is most effective when…
Why You Should Use Caution When Having Kids Trace
Teaching children how to write is an exciting milestone, but not without challenges. Many parents and educators turn to tracing as a go-to method for teaching kids how to form letters and shapes. However, while tracing may seem straightforward and effective, it can sometimes do more harm than good—especially for children with poor visual motor skills.
Pre-writing Activities With Fun Strokes Pre-Writing Program
In the world of pediatric occupational therapy, finding the right tools to support pre-writing skills is crucial. Fun Strokes is an engaging pre-writing program that uses magnets and worksheets to make learning pre-writing strokes fun! You can always find the Fun Strokes magnets in my Occupational Therapy bag. It’s a wonderful curriculum for pre-K teachers, special education teachers, or early elementary teachers who would like to teach pre-writing strokes and shapes.
Frugal OT Dollar Tree Top Pick: Foam Dice
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.
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).