The first two blogs in this handwriting series give information about the underlying skills of handwriting and ways we can help our kids with handwriting.
Skills Necessary for Handwriting Success: In blog 1, we discuss that while handwriting seems so automatic and simple , it is instead a very complex motor skill. Click here to re-read about the specific skills that are necessary to build handwriting skills.
Tips and Tricks for Achieving Handwriting Success: In blog 2, we explain how to assess handwriting skills and some simple tips and tricks you can implement to help struggling handwriters.
Making Handwriting Fun
Now you have learned the essential skills necessary for optimal handwriting and tips and tricks for improving handwriting success. But, when someone is struggling with handwriting, the last thing they want to do is sit down and practice handwriting drills. If our experience with thousands of kids has taught us anything, it is that a kid has to be motivated and engaged to make progress! This third blog of our handwriting series contains some fun ways to incorporate handwriting into everyday tasks to make handwriting fun and purposeful.
Fun & Purposeful Handwriting Activities: Use this list of handwriting activities to get your child more willing to work on their handwriting.
- Handwrite a letter to a family member or friend.
- Create the grocery list of the week
- Make a birthday or holiday wish list
- DIY Obstacle Course or Game: Write out the directions and have family members or friends read the instructions to play.
- Handwrite the steps of a scavenger hunt. Afterwards, have family or friends read the clues to play.
- Play school. Have your child write out worksheets for you to complete. They will practice handwriting and love teaching you something that they know.
- Tic Tac Toe using various letters
- Write down a favorite or new recipe and spend time making the food together
- Do an activity book such as Mad Libs or simple crossword puzzles
- Crayola Story By Me Book
- Write your own comic strip type book
- Diary reflections of the day
- Make a coupon book
- Write your own greeting cards: provide with various crafts (glitter, stickers, stamps, stencils)
- Handwrite using different tactile media. Different tactile media includes sidewalk chalk, window writing, write letters and spelling words in shaving cream, form letters using noodles
If any of three blogs pertain to someone you know, a trained occupational therapist can assess the specific struggles and help make a plan to increase handwriting success!