Handwriting is a complex skill that relies on many underlying abilities, including fine motor control, visual-motor integration, hand strength, attention, and cognitive planning to name a few. It often falls upon Occupational Therapists to support, because we are skilled in investigating and understanding the ‘why’ children may be finding handwriting difficult.
Handwriting
The hierarchy of handwriting provides a framework for occupational therapists to break down the underlying skills, helping them decide where to begin and how best to support each child.
Pencil Grasp, writing speed and fluency
Hand muscles, open web space, pincer movement, finger isolation, palmer arches and thumb opposition
Postural control, maintaining an upright position, neck control to hold head up.
Visual Motor integration, visual processing (letter formation, spacing and alignment), tracking the paper and letters
Proprioception (pressure and position of pencil), tactile feedback, vestibular (sitting upright)
Pre-writing skills are essential building blocks for learning to write.
It is the ability to copy lines and strokes which are the shapes required to form letters. These should be mastered before moving onto writing the alphabet. They involve vertical, horizontal, diagonal and circular lines.
Pre Writing Skills
Mat Man is a useful resource for teaching pre writing shapes.
Click here for link to YouTube Mat Man video.
Posture
The optimal writing position follows the rule of 90/90/90 degree. 90 degrees at the ankles, knees and hips. Having feet flat on the floor is a small detail which i have noticed can create a big difference to handwriting and general focus in class. It helps anchor the child; stopping them from feeling off-balance and needing their body muscles to work extra hard on sitting upright. When our body is stable, our shoulders can relax and our spine is supported. This in turn can improve focus by reducing fatigue.
If you cannot adapt the chair and table to meet the child’s needs. You can adapt the environment around the chair and table. For example, using a cushion or wedge to raise the child, or adding box/blocks for a foot raise.
Pre Writing Shapes
Optimal seating position handout
Pencil Grasps
A - Radial cross palmar grasp
B - Palmar supinate grasp
C - Digital pronate grasp
D - Brush Grasp
E - Grasp with extended fingers
F - Cross thumb grasp or Thumb Wrap
G - Static Tripod Grasp
H - Four finger Grasp
I - Lateral Tripod Grasp
J - Dynamic Tripod Grasp
The most important thing to remember is that pencil grasp must be functional. If it looks unusual and awkward, but the child is not in pain and writes fairly neatly, then that is okay.
lefties
Handedness: Left v Right
10% of the population are left-handed.
Usually, a hand preference develops between the ages of 18 months and 4 years old. However, some children may not show a clear preference until later in childhood.
Left handed writers face more challenges, they must push the pen rather than pull it across the paper, which can feel awkward. They are also at risk of bumping their neighbours and smudging their own work.
Tips for Left handers:
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Sit on the left hand side of right-handed writers
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Writing on a sloping surface to reduce hooked wrist - can use a ring binder to save money!
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Turn the paper so the top is angled to the right towards the table.
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Use fast drying pens or smudge proof pencils
Fast Drying Pens
Left Handed Pencils
Writing Slopes
Left Handed Scissors