Handwriting Matters

Playdoh, Padlocks, And Shaving Cream. Creative ways to help children’s handwriting.

What You Need To Know

Children can spend as much as half their school days using fine motor skills, which can put pressure on those students with handwriting problems. Pressing too hard on the paper, starting words at the right spot, flipping b’s to d’s, and keeping within the lines are all common problems for fourth graders. With practice and understanding from both teachers and parents, children can develop these skills. And don’t worry if your child isn’t sure yet which hand is dominant – many children switch pencils between hands during writing assignments.

How You Can Help

1. Tearing and folding paper. Start with small pieces of paper, then progress to larger sizes.
2. Using tweezers to pick up small objects. For children who struggle with this fine control, practice first with tongs for larger objects.
3. Ziploc bags. Here’s another household object that’s handy for developing manual skills. Get your fourth grader to practice pinching and sealing these bags.
4. Padlocks. Using a key, especially a small one, can be challenging. Even combination locks can be useful for thumb control.
5. Playdoh. Fourth graders can strengthen fingers squeezing this modeling clay, then develop sensitivity rolling it between their fingers.
6. Shaving cream. Who needs finger paint when you have shaving cream? This is creative, fun, and messy!
7. Pictures. When you’re preparing dinner, park your fourth grader at the kitchen table with a dot-to-dot picture. Mazes are another good option.

For more information on helping children with handwriting, please see the full article:

http://www.education.com/magazine/article/handwriting-helpers-child-perfect-penmanship