Handwriting: Getting Off To A Good Start

"I can write!" my friend's youngest child proudly claimed and handed me a piece of paper, which I was unable to read. Many letters were illegible and there was chaos in their placement, with some bumping into each other or sharing the same space, and others placed an inch or two from their neighbors. When I asked him to read his paper to me, he shrugged and said, "I can write it; I can't read it."

This exchange illustrates one of the most important influences of handwriting. A writer's message may be garbled if handwriting is illegible. This is no small matter, as legible handwriting is critical to school success. Written tests, papers, journal entries, and so forth are the primary means by which students demonstrate their knowledge in school. Although teachers may try to ignore the quality of students' handwriting when they grade papers, less legible products receive lower scores than neatly written ones.

Difficulties mastering handwriting can impact other aspects of children's academic development too. Young children who struggle to master this skill may believe they cannot write and avoid writing whenever possible. Students who write more slowly also need more time to complete written projects and struggle to keep up when taking notes during class.

What can parents do to help their pre-school child develop good handwriting skills?

• Teach your child to name and recognize the letters of the alphabet.
• Teach your child to write each letter of the alphabet. Start with simpler letters like, l, i, and t, and model how to write them. Have your child trace the letter that you wrote, using their index finger and then a pencil. Have your child write the letter several times, first from copy and then from memory. Identify and praise letters that were formed correctly. Repeat this process on subsequent days until your child can write the letter correctly and easily.
• Show your child how to hold a pencil (or pen) properly. The pencil is held between the middle and index fingers (about 1 inch from the tip of the pencil), resting on the first joint of the middle finger. At first, model how to hold the pencil and remind your child to use this grip anytime he or she writes.
• Show your child where letters are placed on the line and how close each letter should be to the other within and between words.
• Make pencils, pens, and paper readily available for your child to use. Paper with wider lines is preferable for younger children.
• Encourage your child to write letters, stories, notes, etc., as often as possible. Have them read what they wrote aloud. Praise their written efforts as well as their handwriting.