Handwriting:Handwriting:Best PracticesBest Practices

Debbie Shatrowsky/Occupational TherapistDebbie Shatrowsky/Occupational Therapist

Handwriting:Handwriting:Best PracticesBest Practices

Debbie Shatrowsky/Occupational TherapistDebbie Shatrowsky/Occupational Therapist

Ergonomics• 90° rule- hips, knees, ankles• Trunk, neck and head vertically

aligned• Wrist in slight extension• Desktop 1” to 2” above elbow when

seated• Paper angled- right handed/right

corner up, left handed/left corner up

Looking Out For Lefties

•Preventing the “hook”•Left corner of paper elevated, okay for student to have an exaggerated slant•Left handed writers will sometimes pull into their hand which causes them to write from right to left

Pencil Grip

• Developmental sequence• Recognizing efficient vs.

inefficient grips http://ccpsatot.wikispaces.com/ Writing grip page

• Correcting a grip

Efficient Writing Grips

Dynamic Tripod

Quadrupod

Adapted Tripod

Inefficient Grips

Correcting Grip

Twist N Write Pencil

Grotto Crossover Jumbo Big Grip

Handiwriter

Developmental Sequence of Prewriting

• Imitation-vertical, horizontal, circle• Copying ~ 2yr.10mo. vertical ~ 3 horizontal and circle ~ 4 to 4 yr. 11 mo. cross, diagonals, and X ~ 5 yrs. 3 mo. triangle (Beery-Buktenica

Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration)

Developmental Approach to Handwriting

• Handwriting Without Tears® L F E H I – Verticals and horizontals

U C O Q G S J D P B- lines and curves

R K A V M N W X Y Z- diagonals Uses a sensory motor approach

Promoting Proper Stroke, Number and Letter

Formation• Model sound handwriting behaviors• Reading and writing follow the same

basic patterns - top to bottom, left to right

• Orally describe the pattern when introducing and practicing letter formation (big line, little line, big curve, little curve- Handwriting Without Tears®)

Promoting Proper Formation

• Stress correct starting point and formation of letters i.e. large writing on chalkboard, wet-dry-try, etc.

• Make sure the tool size is proportional to the hand size

• Forget the dot-to-dot

Integrating Handwriting and Reading Programs

Option 1: Separate the handwriting and reading sequence (remind students when letters and sounds have been previously taught)

Option 2: Integrate the handwriting and reading sequence (when introducing letter

formation also introduce the sound/s and when introducing letter sounds use direct instruction to learn letter formation)

Option 3: Follow the reading sequence when introducing letter names and formation

(This slide contributed by Leanne Meisinger/Learning

Specialist CCPS)

Resources

• Amazon.com• Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of

Visual-Motor Integration 6th Ed.• Educate and Celebrate (http://www.learning-

experts.com)

• hwtears.com• Office Depot• Meisinger, Leanne /Learning Specialist CCPS• Therapyshoppe.com