Why do we care about handwriting?
We are asked all the time about handwriting. “We use laptops and iPads for everything, why do I need to bother addressing my child’s handwriting difficulty?” It is a really valid question. However, writing is more than just drawing letters. When you add the cognitive strategy requirements (memory, planning, attention), semantics, spelling, reading, comprehension and vocabulary components it becomes possibly one of the most complex tasks a student is expected to do in the classroom. Difficulties with writing (such as idea generation or writing speed) might not actually go away by simply moving to a keyboard. Below is a list of areas of handwriting and ideas to address the difficulty:
My child seems to hold the pencil awkwardly:
Why do we care?
Recent studies have shown that there are a few unusual pencil grasps that are still considered mature. We only ever change a student’s pencil grasp if it is impacting on speed, handwriting legibility or the student is getting pain in their hand. Slightly different rules apply for children in kindergarten or year one (their grasp patterns are easier and less challenging to change).
What to try before OT:
- Take a photo of your child’s hand in a functional grasp with a pencil and stick the photo on their desk as a visual prompt.
- Wrap some Blue Tack, rubber band or Wikki Stick around the pencil to help remind your child where to hold the pencil.
- Make up a rhyme with your child about holding the pencil comfortably before writing.
- Try commercially available pencil grips and different pencils.
My child’s handwriting is really messy:
Why do we care?
We care about this because it could indicate that your child has limited fine motor skills (including strength and coordination). They could also have difficulties with coordinating their visual and motor skills.
What to try before OT:
- Try to work out why your child’s writing looks messy. Are the letters too far apart? Are the letters too big? Are the letters on the line?
- Dotted third paper from newsagents and Officeworks can help children write inside designated boundaries.
- Have a visual assessment completed by a general optometrist (especially if your child is in year one or above and is reversing letters).
- Make a paddle pop stick space man to remind your child to leave a space after a word.
My child doesn’t care about writing and what their handwriting looks like:
Why do we care?
We don’t really mind if a student isn’t that keen to have 100% legible handwriting. What we do want to see is that a teacher can read their answers to questions and not jump to conclusions about their knowledge when they see untidy handwriting.
What to try before OT:
- Find out why your child doesn’t want to put effort into their writing. Is it painful? Is it tricky? Does it take a really long time?
- Explain to your child that handwriting just needs to be ‘readable’ and not perfect.
- Show interest in their writing and practice writing (in a fun way) with them
- Spend some time choosing appropriate materials (pencils, rubbers, pencil case) and desk set up for homework.
When to refer to an OT?
Qualia Occupational therapists are trained in biomechanics (fine motor and gross motor structures required for writing), cognitive strategies (ability to recall, plan, pay attention and complete tasks) and whole task completion (organised writing and written expression) so we can see why a student is finding it challenging and provide individual strategies.