Learning to form letters correctly and later learning how to handwrite fluently so that it can be used as an effective form of communication is an important skill children should be learning and mastering in elementary school. However, learning how to handwrite is complex and many children find handwriting hard. Here are common issues children struggle with.
Disinterested in Practicing Letter Formation
Children learn best when they have a lot of time to practice a new skill. Some children don’t like to practice writing letters which makes learning how to handwrite hard.
Adding a multi-sensory component to learning how to handwrite makes learning fun and extra-engaging for kindergarten-aged children. They can practice writing words and letters at home in a variety of ways so that handwriting becomes a useful form of written communication instead of a difficult and laborious skill.
- While fingerpainting
- With their finger writing in colored sand, pudding or shaving cream
- With chalk and sandpaper
- Writing with glass markers on a window or mirror
Awkward Pencil Grasp
Pencil grip refers to the way a person holds their pencil and other writing utensils. When learning to handwrite and draw, pencil grip plays an important role in helping children write neatly, effortlessly, and without fatiguing too quickly. There is more and more evidence that there is no right or wrong way to hold a pencil as long as the grip is dynamic, consistent, and allows for neat and functional handwriting.
An inefficient pencil grasp is one that causes fatigue, pain, decreased speed, and difficulties with legibility. Children who have weak finger strength, poor shoulder and/or wrist stability, below-average fine motor skills, or those who lack enough practice manipulating a writing utensil may use an inefficient pencil grip. This will impact the quality of written work the child produces.
Tips for Improving Pencil Grip
- Break crayons into small pieces: When children color with small crayon pieces they are more likely to use a three-finger grip because the pieces are small.
- Write and color on a vertical surface: When children write, color, and paint on a vertical surface the wrist is in a more stable and upright position which provides a good base of support for writing and coloring
- Work on pinch control: Picking up small objects like beads and coins and stringing them or putting them in a bank slot will improve fine motor skills which will help with developing a good pencil grip
- Work on finger strength: Working with modeling clay, spray bottles and tweezers require fine motor skills and also improve strength. Strong hand and finger muscles helps children sustain a good pencil grip.
Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia is a disorder of written expression and fine motor skills. Children with dysgraphia may present with slow, labored, sloppy handwriting. They may also struggle with spelling, capitalization, spacing of words and letters, and uniformity with letter size. Oftentimes, children with dysgraphia are unable to produce written work that is typical for their grade level despite knowing the content. If you are the parent or a teacher of a student with dysgraphia here are some ways to support them in learning handwriting skills.
Supporting Students at Home with Pencil and Paper Activities
- Always use a sharp or mechanical pencil. Dull pencils produce sloppier strokes and cause some children to push too firmly on the paper.
- Consider a pencil grip (The Pencil Grip is the one I’d suggest) or build up the pencil by wrapping a large rubber band tightly around the area of the pencil where it is held
- Use a slant board (a 3 inch 3-ring binder works well) for all written work. This will provide visual and arm support during writing.
- Work on finger dexterity activities like placing pennies in a bank, manipulating coins from the palm of the hand to the finger-tips, stacking coins etc. These types of activities will improve in-hand manipulation skills to positively impact how Paul holds and uses writing utensils.
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