Our previous blog post https://conquertherapyservices.com/2022/03/28/fundamentals-of-handwriting/ breaks down the fundamental skills necessary for handwriting. As stated in this blog, handwriting is a complex motor skill. Optimal handwriting performance depends on the blend of multiple components including visual motor, fine motor, attention, focus, core strength and posture. If an individual struggles with one of these skills, but still needs to write, you may need to integrate some supports to produce functional handwriting. See below for tips and tricks for specific handwriting struggles. If you know an individual who is struggling with one or more areas of handwriting, contact us. A trained occupational therapist can provide you with a thorough assessment and provide individualized suggestions to help.
Individual struggles with spacing words and letters on a page. Spacing when handwriting is used to…
- Space the words, paragraphs, numbers on the page accurately.
- Lining up numbers of a math problem
- Spacing between words cannot be too close together or too far apart
- Spacing within words cannot be too close together or too far apart
Tips and Tricks for Word Spacing & Letter Spacing Challenges…
- Make space sticks- let them decorate a tongue depressor
- Place a stamp between words
- Use scientist paper (large box graph paper)
Individual struggles with line placement. When someone has difficulty with line placement it can look like…
- Keeping letters on a line
- Only certain letters go below the line
- Write name on a line
- Line up letters if lines are not provided
Tips and Tricks for Line Placement Challenges…
- Highlight the line with bold colors
- Teach how to skip lines between work
- Use letter boxes to teach a child to write name
Individual struggles to form the letters/ numbers. This can look like…
- Makes the letters/ numbers in segments instead of a flow motion
- Letters/ numbers are reversed
Tips and Tricks for Formation Challenges…
- Use a vertical surface or slant board to assist in the wrist and hand being better aligned to allow for improved flow motion
- Practice 5-10 minutes a day on letter reversals. A little practice goes a long way to make it a habit.
- Reference this awesome chart by Handwriting Without Tears to improve letter/number reversals
Individual struggles with letter/ number size. This can look like…
- Letters/ Numbers are too large or too small
- Letters/ Numbers alternate size within a word or sentence
Tips and Tricks for Letter/ Number Size Challenges…
- Write letters/words inside a structured box (one of my favorite for preschoolers)
- Try placing paper on an easel or vertical surface
- Explain what letter size is needed (“tall” letters or “small” letters)
Individual struggles with handwriting neatness. This can look like…
- Letters are unrecognizable
- Letters do not have precision
Tips and Tricks for Neatness Challenges…
- Use a mechanical pencil
- Teach proper erasing strategies
- Have child self-check work
Individual struggles to remember how to write letters/ numbers. This can look like…
- Takes additional time to recall letters
- Looks around the room for a model of the letter/ number
- Prefers to copy
Tips and Tricks for Memory Challenges…
- Consistent language around how to form a letter
- Try a multisensory approach when practicing letter formation such as with sand, whip cream, salt, bird seed, rice, pudding, shaving cream
- Make raised letters on index cards to use for tracing with index finger of writing hand (can also draw arrow on card that teach directional formation of the letter to guide the writing hand)
Individual struggles to sit still or focus while handwriting. This can look like…
- Gets up multiple times within a writing assignment
- Prefers to stand while handwriting
- Sits on feet or kneels while handwriting
- Requires multiple reminders to complete a handwriting task
Tips and Tricks for Attention Challenges…
- Schedule the student’s time
- Provide short and frequent breaks from classroom work.
- Keep the environment as calm as possible
- Seat the students near the teacher, out of the normal traffic pattern
- Be sure the child’s seat fits them properly. Their feet should be able to be flat on the floor