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Why is handwriting important in the age of computers?
Kids with good hand writing skills and academic excellence fit together like peanut butter and jelly. A child with poor handwriting skills requires more time and effort to form letters, therefore making homework an overall struggle. This kind of challenge could even cause a child to fall behind in class-work and promote decreased learning, grades and self-esteem. Not to mention frustration for the student, parent and teacher.
A child must have the five following skills to be successful with handwriting.
- Visual Motor Skills-the ability to translate visual input into written output. Is your child able to copy shapes, letters & numbers with relative ease?
- Visual Perceptual Skills-the ability to make meaning out of what is seen. Does your child have difficulty distinguishing between “b” and “p”?
- Fine Motor Skills-ability to manipulate small objects. Does your child hold his/her pencil correctly (or do they have difficulty fastening clothes)?
- Trunk Control-a strong trunk provides the base of support needed to complete fine motor tasks like writing. Does your child lean on the table or rest his head in his hands during writing tasks?
- Shoulder Stability-strong muscles around the shoulder joint are required to perform the slow, controlled movements used during fine motor tasks. Does your child lock his elbows when in a “hands and knees” position or hold his/her arm tightly against his side during fine motor activities?
A deficit in any one of these skills can hinder performance.
Legibility Characteristics
- Letter Formation
- Letter Spacing
- Letter Alignment
- Letter Size
- Letter Slant
Difficulty in two or more of these areas equals poor legibility.
Normal Development of Writing
- 15 mo-Scribbles
- 3 yrs-Draws circles
- 4 yrs-Draws crosses
- 4 to 5 1/2 yrs-Draws squares
- 5 yrs-Draws Triangles
Difficulty in two or more of these areas equals poor handwriting development.
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