Remedial Handwriting

Can students who are older really change their handwriting? Why should they learn a new way to write?

YES! Students who are older (7 years +) can change their handwriting and should start to focus on the importance of their penmanship. As students get older, they will begin to learn typing, internet navigation and report writing. However, the bulk of their communication and evaluations still rely on pencil and paper tasks! Students are required these days to not only solve math problems but to write (in sentences) about their thinking and problem solving. A formalized reading assessment, called the DRA (Developmental Reading Assessment) that most districts use, requires that students write a written response to demonstrate their comprehension of text that will give an indication of their reading level. Spelling tests, science journals, journal writing and poster creations are still a huge every day part of our children’s educational lives.

Now, what if your child’s teacher cannot read your son/daughter’s handwriting? Does your child still struggle with written fluency? Does your child want to give up writing after 5 minutes because it hurts his/her hand? Research has shown that if an instructor struggles to read a written response, the student’s grade will be lowered.

ProgressivEducation can help! We use Handwriting Without Tears program to teach penmanship, grammar/punctuation and narrative story writing to older students in an engaging, hands on and multi-sensory experience.  

   There are a few other tips and tricks of the trade that you can do to help your child start having better handwriting today!

1. Sit with your feet on the floor and back against the chair. 

 

This allows kids to have proper posture and ensures that they won’t get physical tired as easily. 

 

2. Slant your child’s page toward the left or the right

 

This technique ensures quality control for spacing, organization and fluency. 

 

3. Use a slant board to create a more upright position if your child struggles with positioning

 

This tool will help your child with positioning and control. 

 

4. Make sure they are using a comfortable grasp with their pencil. There are three grasp patterns that are effective in keeping his/her writing movements small, with a firm pencil grip and the pencil at an angle. If you child is using one method, there is no reason to change his/her strategy if it fits the previous criteria. 

 

This helps children with their fine motor control. When kids have a proper pencil grip, they will be able to have correct letter formation, letter size, spacing and fluency. 

Lastly, if you have any questions about your child’s penmanship, please feel free to contact http://www.progressiveducation.com for your child’s writing evaluation and opportunity to become more successful in the classroom. 

 

Images courtesy of http://teachers.henrico.k12.va.us/exed/ExEdHCPS/OTPT/HandwritingStrategies.pdf