It’s time to put pen to paper.
Handwriting is undeniably one of the most vital life skills we acquire from the early stages of childhood. Research demonstrates that handwriting skills play a significant role in a child’s reading and spelling development, self-esteem cultivation, and overall academic progress. Children typically dedicate 30-60% of their school day to completing handwriting and fine motor tasks. Consequently, children facing challenges in handwriting also grapple with academic hurdles that escalate as they progress through the education system. Without a doubt, handwriting is an essential life skill that enables us to learn and communicate effectively. Here are some strategies and tips to support children’s handwriting development.
Begin by asking yourself, “How do we master handwriting?”
Handwriting is a multifaceted skill that matures over time. Achieving smooth and proficient drawing or writing requires a harmonious blend of motor skills, sensory processing skills, and cognitive abilities. (For further information on skill development and how Occupational Therapy contributes to children’s progress, please refer to our introductory article on independence skills.)
Here are the examples of how we use our skills in handwriting:
- Develop a functional pencil grasp.
- Hold the pencil correctly with the appropriate angle and placement on the page.
- Execute writing or drawing with fluid, meaningful movements.
- Achieve bilateral integration: coordinating both sides of the body for purposeful writing, such as using one hand to stabilise the page while the other hand draws.
- Sequence tasks logically for writing and drawing.
- Recall the correct formation of letters.
- Understand written words, sentences, and numbers and transform them into meaningful written language.
- Enable children to receive visual input (e.g. letters or patterns on the board) and translate it into motor output to recreate what they’ve seen on the page.
- Offer visual feedback to the brain to adjust the writing or drawing, including the direction of letters, spacing, and baseline orientation.
- Provide proprioceptive feedback to the brain to control pencil pressure and the firmness of the pencil grip on the page.
By nurturing and enhancing these fundamental skills, you can significantly aid in the development of children’s handwriting proficiency and overall educational success.
Handwriting is an example of motor learning, a skill that is acquired through consistent practice. Like all other life skills, it demands time and hands-on practice to cultivate precise pen control, transitioning from simple shapes to composing essays.
The journey of handwriting typically begins with scribbling. As children gain better control over holding a pencil, they progress to drawing more precise shapes. Eventually, they begin forming letters on paper with a pencil or crayon when they start learning the alphabet.
Pencil Grasp
Alongside the creative process on paper, various pencil grasps come into play at different stages of development.
Palmer Grip (1-2 years old):
Initially, children typically employ a gross palmer grasp to hold the pencil, similar to how we grip a bottle of water while drinking.
Digital Pronate Grip (2-3 years old):
As children advance, they may transition to a grip similar to how most people hold a knife while eating. This digital pronate grip enables more precise strokes when drawing.
4-Fingers Grip (3-4 years old):
Children approaching 3-4 years of age typically acquire a more sophisticated pencil grasp. Instead of solely relying on their fingers and palm (fist) to hold the pencil, they begin to use their fingertips for stabilising the pencil in their grasp while drawing or writing.
Tripod/Quadrupod Grip (4-7 years old):
By the time children usually start school, the tripod grip (utilising three fingers) and the quadrupod grasp (involving four fingers) are commonly taught in classroom settings. Both of these grips are functional and conducive to effective handwriting.
These examples demonstrate how handwriting skills develop and progress over time, and how different pencil grasps are acquired and refined as children grow.
From Pre-writing Shapes to Writing Letters from the ABC Song:e
The journey from the pre-writing stage to writing the letters of the alphabet is an exciting progression in a child’s development. During the pre-writing stage, children hone their skills with crayons or pencils, exploring their creative potential on paper. It’s a phase where they begin to experiment with how to use their hands to draw and replicate what they see with a pencil or crayon. A notable milestone in pencil control is when children can successfully complete a range of mazes, engage in quality colouring tasks, and independently draw simple shapes.
At this age, children may start holding crayons in their hands and eagerly strike them onto the page, often resulting in random scribbles as they learn to manage the pencil or crayon.
With practice, children progress to imitating shapes. Around 2 years old, they may confidently produce vertical strokes, followed by horizontal strokes at 2.5 years old, and circular shapes at 3 years old. By this stage, children also begin to develop colouring skills that enable them to stay within lines.
Children learn to replicate shapes they have observed, incorporating them into their scribbles. Four-year-olds can usually trace forms like a cross and even attempt drawing simple human figures with at least three features, such as a head, eyes, and nose. Some may begin learning letters by copying and tracing.
Around this age, children establish a functional tripod or quadruped grip, a significant milestone. They also learn to coordinate both hands, with one holding the pencil and the other stabilising the page. They become capable of copying other basic shapes, such as squares and triangles. Some children may even begin printing their own names from a model.
This is typically the age when children commence primary school. It’s the time when they learn to trace all the letters of the alphabet and start copying them.
The development of penmanship and handwriting skills is a progressive journey that demands both exposure and practice. Each child may develop their handwriting skills at their own pace. To support children’s handwriting skills development, there are practical strategies that can be particularly helpful.
If you wish to learn more, feel free to explore our page on tips for supporting the development of children’s penmanship and handwriting skills!
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Raising Children Network. Handwriting Skills for Children. Retrieved October 24, 2023, https://raisingchildren.net.au/toddlers/play-learning/learning-ideas/handwriting