Encouraging Handwriting for Back to School

By Janna Barrick, M.S.,OTR/L

“But I’m not in school … I’m on break.”  Parents, daycare centers, and babysitters everywhere hear this protest when they have children work on handwriting skills to prepare for the return to school. While it is difficult to make time for carryover of skills, organizing projects on a regular basis to practice fine motor and handwriting skills in a fun way reduces the need to recoup skills in the fall.

Schedule, Schedule, Schedule
Most children (and adults) benefit from a general schedule so that they know what to expect each day. Depending on the child’s needs, this schedule can take many forms, including a verbal plan, a checklist, written schedule, or calendar. Writing can be included directly as an activity, or indirectly as a part of an activity, such as making a list of supplies needed for a craft.

Make it Fun!
When considering activity options, examine the child’s skill level and preferences. His or her occupational therapist, teacher, or other professionals may offer suggestions. When learning to form letters and numbers, work on motor memory for formation via a variety of modalities: magnetic writing boards, etch-a-sketch, watercolor paints, blow pens, window or bathtub (washable) paints, cooked spaghetti, or pretzel dough. Many children enjoy a letter, number, or word-of-the-day or week approach, in which they can tally or write down items they see starting with that letter, making a craft, writing, and other activities pertaining to the theme.

In later elementary school, children may enjoy decorating vacation stationery to write letters to friends or grandparents. If your child enjoys photography and scrapbooking, he or she might be encouraged to use their best handwriting for picture captions. Following the summer months, older children may enjoy keeping a calendar of back to school events or a journal of their activities. Pull out the gel pens, color-changing markers, secret code pens, wiggle writers, and interesting paper for motivation!

Cursive Practice
If your child has begun cursive handwriting in school, encourage him or her to practice this in preparation for fall. Have them practice their signature (the most important cursive accomplishment) when signing postcards or letters. If your child has difficulties with some letter formations, consult with your child’s occupational therapist or teacher to find out what kinds of workbooks might be used to review correct formations. You can continue the letter or word of the day/week theme in activities by having the child make as many words as possible from longer words or phrases containing letters they need to practice. Your child may enjoy multi-sensory cursive practice in play dough, shaving cream, or sand. Bring along a clipboard for car trips to play the state license plate game in cursive.

Encouraging the Most Reluctant Writers
When writing is a frustrating and difficult task, your child may not be a willing participant. Using a timer to count down the time left in the writing game or activity may be helpful in some cases. Some children may find a reinforcement system such as selecting a fun activity when they are done, earning a day off from practicing or fun day after a certain number of days of good performance to be a motivating factor.

Seeking Expert Advice
An occupational therapist may provide your child with opportunities to succeed in many areas of daily life. If you find that you have many concerns about your child’s handwriting grasp, legibility, or fine motor coordination, please request a referral from your doctor for occupational therapy services. These services are generally available in outpatient rehabilitation clinics in your community.

© 2009 Janna Barrick, M.S.,OTR/L

Janna Barrick is an occupational therapist specializing in Pediatrics for Tx:Team partnered with Frederick Memorial Hospital's outpatient clinics located in Frederick, Maryland. JBarrick@fmh.org.

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