First
of all, I want to share a mistake that I made with my sons.� When
they were very young they would copy letters just for fun.� By the
time we started "formal" schooling, they had already learned to write all
letters on their own.� The problem?� They were making most of
them incorrectly!� If I had it to do over again, from the very early
ages I would buy or make large handwriting charts and show them how to
make letters correctly from the beginning.� I've found that once kids
have gotten used to making letters a certain way, it's very hard to get
them to change.
One
of the best tips I can give for the reluctant handwriting student is the
use of a calligraphy pen.� For my children, we use a "real" calligraphy
pen (with wide, flat tip) that must be dipped in ink.� We also use
paper that has a little bit of texture to it.� These two things combined
will make it very difficult for the student to make his or her letters
in any way, but from top to bottom.� If they try to go from bottom
to top, the pen tends to grab and splatter.� Also, the fact that the
student is writing with a calligraphy pen may cause them to slow down and
take the time needed to form letters correctly.� My kids began to
like handwriting practice when I started using calligraphy pens.�
These can be purchased at craft stores.
Variation
in writing tools can add interest to handwriting practice.� A good
way to start practicing a new letter is with a crayon, paint brush or marker
on plain paper.�� Later move to practicing the letter with a
pencil on lined paper.� (This type of practice could be a bonus to
kinesthetic learners, in particular.)
Make
handwriting practice applicable to real life.� The student can write
letters to grandparents, friends, aunts and uncles.�� Use party
invitations or thank you notes as handwriting practice, too.
Another
helpful thing is to make sure that your child is sitting at his or her
desk and holding the pencil properly.� The pencil� should be
held with the thumb and index finger.� The upper portion of the pencil
should� rest by the index finger knuckle.� Make sure your child
isn't holding the pencil too tight.� The paper should also be tilted
slightly... left handers who write with their wrist below the writing line
should turn paper clockwise, slanting to the right.� Left-handers
who write with hand above the writing line should turn the paper counter-clockwise.�
The right-handed writer should turn the paper counter-clockwise also.�
Check your child's feet and back.� Feet should rest flat on the floor
and the back should be comfortably straight.� Teach the student to
hold the paper steady with the non-writing hand.
When
handwriting paper is complete, have student circle the letter in each line
that looks the most like the model.� Self evaluation will help the
student begin to recognize good letter formation.� You might also
have them choose their "worst" letter and practice writing that letter
a few extra times.
Young
students usually fair better with a chunky pencil.
Remind students to start
handwriting practice with a sharp pencil.
�
Here are some sites with more handwriting information.
Handwriting Helps
12 Rules for Good Cursive Handwriting
Helping Your Child To Better Handwriting
Many educators today are teaching handwriting styles that make an easy transition into cursive.
The two that I have used are:
D'Nealian Handwriting
(I'm not biased against the D'Nealian Handwriting, I just couldn't find any links out there abou it.)
Italic Handwriting
�The Advantages of Italic
Italic Handwriting Lesson
Italic Handwriting Samples
Handwriting Resources
Left-Handed
Handwriting materials
StartWrite
Computer Software
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