All About Handwriting
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[Editor's note: Post selected and edited for http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/content/writing-road-reading.]
Hi everyone, I\"m a newbie. I've had some experience with helping my 3
kids (now 11 years, 10year & 6 years) with handwriting.
First of all, I'm guilty of not realizing that writing is a highly complex task involving so much brain connections fine motor skills which different kids develop at different ages due to their unique developmental age. I now realize from brain science that signs of poor handwriting may be symptomatic of other Brain-related issues eg kids' Visual disabilities/development delay. But for many children, good handwriting must be taught - it's a skill that needs methodical teaching & learning.
I've used the Spalding method of handwriting with all 3 kids. The book reference is \"The Writing Road to Reading\" by Romalda Bishop Spalding which is available from NLB. It uses the Clock as a Visual tool to help kids reproduce with great accuracy the letters of the alphabet. It's also a writing approach to help kids learn reading but I use it primarily to help my kids with handwriting.
This approach has very precise script for giving your child instructions on how to produce each letter. The book breaks down the exact strokes needed to form all the letters of the alphabet to circles, lines that begin at 2pm or 12pm or 10am, etc all based on the clock face.
The letters that initially introduced are a, c, d, f, g, o, s , qu. - all small letters. This is based on the letters being formed at 2pm on the clock. I've the clock face which I printed from the book in front of my child and I use the instructions exactly provided by the book and demonstrate each letter. I initially start with a, c, d, then after each week, I add a new letter to be learnt. I ensure that every lesson, my child gets rewarded 10 stars (I've a reward system at home) and he does 10 reps per letter and every letter is reinforced after week. It's working very well so far & my son's writing has been improving after 3 weeks.
Besides the precise instructions, the book will also tell you about pencil-holding, suitable furniture (Make sure your child's feet are firmly planted on the floor while sitting - helps concentration) and even how to place the book at a certain angle. Ergonomics are very important. -
My son handwritting is horrible also when he is in primary 1. He improve when he is in primary 4. So not to worry so much...
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Hi All!
My son hand writing improved then now go back his own illegible writing.He said when he wrote he lost his energy.After that he can’t write neatly.Previously he siad if he wrote nicely he should be very slow.I told him write every day.Then it will be nice and fast.But he can’t listen to me.
How to change his mindset?Now he is P3.I just worried cos of compo. -
Hello!
I would say, don't fret! It takes time for him to learn. Don't make him write the same thing over and over again. It would be better if you make him write different compos topic as practice for handwriting and also for improving English speed is one essential thing when he reaches Secondary school. So it is a must must for good handwriting and speed -
Hi smartmummy,
My DS is also P3 and doesn’t have neat handwriting. Like your son, he mentioned that he needs to copy/write fast so that he can finish his work on time. Every PTA, teacher will tell me that he have untidy handwriting and disorganised.
I think partly it is because of his poor motor skills. I can only encourage him and at times, I erase and make him rewrite. -
My child also says teacher says must write quickly so he scribbles and I keep telling him at PSLE, the marker would not have the patience to read his scribbles but he says no choice, teacher says must write fast. I also don’t know how to help him.
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Am now teaching DD to write her English and Chinese names. Her handwriting not that nice, and she gets upset when I asked her to write a few more times. How to inculcate interest in the child in learning how to write her own names, for a start? Can any parent share your experiences?
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Hi parents,
My 2 children are left handed and I never noticed any problems with the way they hold their pencils until they started primary school and their teachers feedback to me. Since then (5 years on…), my oldest is still gripping the pen in a fist-like way and my daughter is holding her pencil so tightly that her knuckles are sometimes white from the strain. As a result, she hates to write. I tried buying her some of those grips you can attach on the pens but did not succeed. Unfortunately, my boy is already 12 this year. It doesn’t bother him but I want him to hold his pen the right way. Do you think it is too late for him to make the change?
Has any parent here ever faced the same situation? Would appreciate some sharing. Thanks! -
my son has bad handwriting too…the only way to alleviate the problem seems to be getting him to leave a line and look slightly neater. i realised my girl’s handwriting kinda changes through the influences of her friends. she started writing like her friends when she started sec sch and improved thankfully
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My gal in P2 but still writes horribly. During the Dec holidays, I will probably make her do lots of writing.
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