Helping Your Child With Handwriting
Young children feel a sense of satisfaction in learning to write letters, and
eventually moving into cursive script. However, this excitement turns to frustration for
many kids when they encounter difficulties, or are exposed to a handwriting program that
places too many demands on them at school.
Here are some suggestions for helping your child with handwriting at home.
- Have your child practice difficult letters by tracing her index finger over sandpaper
letters, or by writing the forms in the air, or on a tabletop. Encourage large hand
movements at first, gradually moving toward fine motor movements as she improves.
- Avoid comparing your child's handwriting with siblings, or friends. Criticism can dampen
your child's desire to want to improve.
- If handwriting is illegible past third grade, seek help from a learning specialist. And
consider providing typing lessons for your child, so her ability to communicate through
writing will not be hampered because of poor handwriting.
For more information, read Better Handwriting in 30 Days by Paula Sassey.
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Last modified: Oct 24, 1995