Tips for Teaching Handwriting
 by: Sandy Naidu

People often joke that when a person has bad handwriting they must be a doctor. Handwriting is still an important part of our everyday lives. Even though as adults we spend a lot of time typing on a computer for work and less time writing things down doesn't mean we should neglect the basic skills. Most jobs require you to have good typing skills but nobody ever pushes good handwriting. Unless you take the time to practice good penmanship you might have to buy a rubber stamp.

Everybody learns how to write in grammar school. You tightly grip your No. 2 pencil; lean your head to the right or left depending on your writing hand, stick the tip of your tongue out to one side, and begin. Many children either shine in this area or it becomes a daily struggle to write legible. There are a few tips that you can offer to help a child develop great handwriting skills.

Tip #1

Use a pencil, yes, as simple as this sounds some parents think the word penmanship requires a pen, it doesn't. You should find a pencil that your child feels comfortable with. Grip is important but not everybody holds a pencil the same way, give your child the freedom to be comfortable or you will face an uphill climb. No. 2 pencils seem to be the norm; also, use a pencil that doesn't roll, one that has flat sides is best. A pencil gripper might also help if they are squeezing too tight. You can even get them a pencil holder so they know right where to reach for a leaded writing instrument.

Tip #2

Writing paper is very important. Children who are learning how to write letters should not be practicing on college rule paper. Since they are discovering which way the letters shape and bend you need to give them enough room to experiment. Constricting their writing space will cause them to develop skills that won't be helpful. We all wrote on big tablets because we were learning, give them the same memories.

Tip#3

Spacing between letters is a must. Before they learn to read words they see how letters of the alphabet are placed. There is a space between each letter, not a large space but enough to indicate that it's being reserved. Helping them to understand that the spacing between designates room for another letter is important. When they begin to write you can suggest that they lay their finger in between the letter they have written and the letter they are going to write.

Tip #4

Applaud any effort and correct with loving kindness. When children are trying things for the first time they want to succeed. They see their parents skillfully cooking and driving and to them you are the master, they want to be too. Help them to correct their own writing as well, don't do it for them or they will expect it each time. Pretty soon you will have little hand written notes with backwards letters covering your refrigerator.

Tip #5

Find some handwriting worksheets so it becomes more fun to learn how to write. School lessons are just that, lessons. Give them something fun to do with their handwriting skills. It will help them to develop more confidence when the pressure is off. And remember that learning takes time, try learning something while they are learning to write, you will see how hard it really is to adapt.