Developing handwriting skills are a challenge for many children. Letter formation, appropriate spacing, appropriate and consistent letter sizing, keeping within the lines, applying the right amount of pencil pressure, holding the pencil correctly... There are so many different things to think about at once. This can be overwhelming and a bit disheartening for those who struggle with handwriting.
Difficulties with handwriting can be caused by a multitude of different reasons, but finding using the right equipment can help alleviate the stress and remove some of the barriers.
1. Holding a pencil correctly
Encouraging a correct pencil grip or tripod grip will help with handwriting flow and prevent hand cramps. Sometimes children hold their pencil too tightly. Pencil grips help to encourage correct grip, and make holding a pencil more comfortable. We have a range of pencil grips to meet the varying degrees of difficulty with pencil holding.
2. Letter size and staying in the lines
The LegiLiner roller stamps give a visual guide for letter height. They give a quick and easy solution for teachers when children need to write on paper without lines e.g. writing a sentence under an illustration
3. Good writing position
Those who work in schools will be familiar with children who slouch over their desk while writing. Maintaining a good seated position will help with the development of good handwriting. A Slope Board can be useful to maintain good arm and wrist position, and encourage sitting upright.
4. Good Posture
Part of developing good handwriting habits includes good sitting posture. Feet on the floor, back straight, and head up. Movin' Sit Junior and Disc O Sit Junior both encourage core strength and correctly aligned back and pelvis position.
5. Proprioceptive input
Use hand or wrist weights to help steady the hand or raise awareness of hand position. Weighted pens and pencils can also help stabilise the hand for those with a tremor to improve handwriting.
Adapted pens like the PenAgain and Twist n Write Pencils can be useful for those with low tone in the hand. The design doesn't allow the pencil or pen to fall out of the hand easily. Gripoballs can also be used on pens and pencils to assist with grip to aid in handwriting.
In the classroom
Having the necessary equipment to to assess handwriting and trial equipment with children is often a challenge. We have put together a Junior Handwriting Kit and a Middle School Handwriting Kit so that classroom teachers can have a range of different tools when required.