Handwriting: Training and Practice

Melissa, age 7, from Draw Write Now, Book 8, Horse Lesson, page 32

“IT’S NOT HARD TO SHOW A CHILD HOW TO FORM LETTERS AND WRITE SENTENCES. THE CHALLENGE IS MOTIVATING THEM TO PRACTICE REGULARLY AND CAREFULLY.”

— Marie Hablitzel

Handwriting practice is like working on lay-ups in basketball or learning a song on the piano—the same motions are practiced over and over until confidence and skill are gained. Handwriting practice develops one of the rote elements of writing—the act of forming letters and spacing letters into words and sentences. (Other elements are spelling and grammar.) When handwriting becomes automatic, the child can focus on composition. The child is free to write the story they want to tell or to focus on answering the questions in an assignment.

Checking Melissa's Work

Melissa's practice paper shows she has good guidance. To continue developing her skill, I recommend two simple changes: use a smaller guideline paper and relearn the letter "d".

Guideline Paper Size

Melissa is using paper with 5/8 inch guidelines. I think she is ready to drop down to smaller guidelines, probably 1/2 inch guidelines. Many of the letters in her first four sentences drop below the mid-line or float above the base-line. She is able to write smaller now and handwriting practice may seem a bit tedious for Melissa. A practice paper with smaller guidelines will match her current skills, and her practice-time would once again be…(dare I say?)...fun!

Relearn the Letter "d"

Have Melissa change the way she makes the letter "d." She should start it like she is starting her letter "a". The following letters all start on the mid-line, with the same motion as the letter "c":

c, o, a, d, g, q

Posture While Drawing or Writing

Standing While Drawing & Writing

Writing or drawing while standing at a vertical surface—an easel, white board, or any vertical surface in a house (wall, fridge, glass door)—has these benefits:

• the hand and forearm fall naturally in the correct position
• arm movement is free—The heel of the hand is not “planted” in one position. When the hand is “planted”, movement is restricted to only the fingers.
• downward strokes come naturally, which is similar to the top to bottom direction used when writing letters

Take the toddler out of the highchair so they can stand while they color and scribble. Let the four year-old draw a dog on the garage wall. Give the 7 year-old an easel. Challenge the 12 year-old to draw while standing. 

An easel has a slanted surface, which is more comfortable to work at than a straight vertical surface. Make a simple easel by leaning a board against a wall. This could be an old bulletin board or whiteboard. (Stabilize the board at the top where it touches the wall and block the bottom.)

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Sitting While Drawing & Writing

Most of our drawing and writing is done while sitting at a table. The arm rests on the surface of the table, stabilizing the hand and arm movement.

When sitting:

• feet are flat on the floor (or a step stool or a stack of books)
• knees are at the same level as the hips
• arms, bent at the elbow, rest on the table top
• shoulders are relaxed, not scrunched up toward the ears

Maintain the hand/wrist/arm position that is presented while standing. Watch for “planting” of the hand—the hand and forearm should rest on the table top and provide stabilization for the arm, but not constrict movement. The non-writing hand stabilizes the paper.

A child-size chair and table helps tremendously, if available. Adjustable tables and chairs are available for the growing child.

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Relaxing While Drawing & Writing

Just as we like to see a child relaxing with a book, we love to see a child lounging with a pencil and paper. A relaxed posture while writing/drawing has it’s place and time. Simply remember to include plenty of practice time in the standing and/or sitting positions. 

Infants as well as 12 year-olds benefit from “tummy-time”. Therapist recommend that children lay on their stomach while propping their upper body with their arms. This position may be awkward for writing, but is fine while watching TV, reading or playing with small toys.

Outdoor activities like swinging from bars on a jungle gym, climbing a rock wall or walking like a crab develop the muscles and skills needed for good posture.