Work on Improving Handwriting
Handwriting is more than just important for communication; it’s also the basis for fine motor skills development that ensures children can easily manipulate tools and utensils, dress on their own, draw, and cut out shapes. If your child is lagging in the handwriting department, you can work on improving handwriting and thus improve all associated skills.
When your child needs a helping hand, Real OT Solutions® is here to help with expert advice, guidance, and tools. Take a look at activities to improve handwriting and use the ones that work best for your child.
1. Non-School Writing Tasks
You might find your child resistant to improving handwriting while working on school tasks. The reason they may be avoiding handwriting practice on these occasions is likely because they don’t find them fun. Instead of activities that are similar to schoolwork, consider coming up with writing tasks that seamlessly integrate into daily life.
Ask your little one to leave you notes on Post-Its, ask them to help you write thank you cards or birthday cards for loved ones, or dictate your grocery list to them before you head out shopping together. These activities to improve handwriting allow them to practice something that feels useful while bonding with a parent.
Some other non-writing practice tasks your child may love include:
- Write a letter to their favorite book or movie character
- Write a story about a magical adventure
- Create their own playing or trading card
2. Write In Code
Some children really love puzzles. Blend puzzles with improving handwriting by turning handwriting practice into code. You don’t have to invent a cipher on your own — plenty of codes already exist! Get them to try and puzzle out a code by making it a scavenger hunt; they only get to the final prize by solving all the codes or riddles.
When they use the code to write you messages, they’ll now be doing twice the work. Writing down their original note and then translating it into the code means extra practice with every note.
3. Use A Handwriting Program
Handwriting programs offer structured, guided tools for parents and kids who need a little extra help. These programs help you craft a homeschool handwriting curriculum with exercises, materials, and tracking to deliver measurable results for improving handwriting.
At Real OT Solutions®, we’ve crafted solutions targeted at handwriting for kids to provide parents with the support they need to achieve success with children who are struggling. From fully formed curriculum to accessories, like handwriting practice paper, we offer comprehensive education for activities to improve handwriting at home.
4. Write With Fingers
Combining sensory experiences with handwriting practice is a great way to keep your kids engaged. They’ll also get to enjoy multiple different activities that help them develop their fine motor skills.
Fill a box with sand, flour, or cornmeal to create a moving surface that allows for finger writing and drawing. This technique is especially useful for kids who have perfectionist tendencies. Instead of crossing out or erasing their work, all it takes for your little one to start over is a shake of the box. Use this activity so children can enjoy play while improving handwriting at the same time!
5. Use Window Crayons
Are your kids looking for an artistic outlet? Do they often draw on walls? Let them get a little rebellious with crayons designed to write on windows. Explain how they work to your kids and ask them to draw you a picture, and then title and sign it underneath. Window crayons are easy to clean, and you can periodically wipe down the drawings and writing to provide space for new artwork. Kids will be entertained for hours without even realizing that using window crayons is allowing them to explore their artistic side while improving their handwriting.
6. Try an Easel
If you’ve found that your child struggles with positioning their hands and elbows around the paper to write without smudging, a change of angle may be helpful for improving handwriting. Set up an easel with pencils and crayons and allow them to practice their handwriting with the paper in an upright position. You’ll be encouraging muscle development in the arms, hands, and fingers, which will eventually translate to better fine motor skills in every aspect of their lives.
You can also combine this suggestion with the window writing suggestion. Instead of using specialty crayons and window cleaner, simply tape up a sheet of paper to the nearest window, so kids can draw and write on it without the mess.
7. Write With Chalk
Do you want to lean into play mode while encouraging your child to practice their handwriting? Take your activities outside to the sidewalk! With sidewalk chalk, your child can write, draw, and use their imagination while flexing those fine motor skills. Improving handwriting comes naturally when you praise their work and encourage them to keep creating and practicing.
Add a twist to this activity when you use the lines of the sidewalk like lines on a sheet of paper. Each sidewalk square becomes a masterpiece painting with a title, description, or signature easily aligned along the crack.
8. Encourage Journaling
If your little one hates spending time indoors, turn writing into an outdoors activity with a nature notebook. Go on long walks in the neighborhood, identifying trees, flowers, and birds on your walks. With each new animal or plant you talk about, encourage your child to make notes in their journal. You can pause so they can write during the walk or wait until you get home and ask them to write down what they remember.
Make Practice Fun
See? With a bit of creativity, improving handwriting can be fun! Explore other blog posts to find more suggestions and advice to help your child enhance their skills. And if you’re interested in using a handwriting program, take a look at how Real OT Solutions® can make a difference to your child’s life!
