Understanding Handwriting
January 23 is observed as National Handwriting Day as it is the birthday of John Hancock, who was the first man to sign the declaration of independence. In honor of this holiday, here are some tips, tricks and red flags to help us better understand handwriting.
Components of Handwriting
1. Line Adherence
Line adherence is the ability to write our letters in relation to a given line. Every single letter should be touching the line while some letters, such as g j p q and y, should go under the given line. This is one quick way to improve the neatness and legibility of anybody’s handwriting without having to change too much of your typical handwriting style. Making sure every letter touches the line without floating above and that only letters that are considered "go under letters” extend below the line will instantly improve legibility. Writing on a blank piece of paper without any lines? Place another piece of paper or an index card down while you’re writing to use as your line. This provides a visual and physical reference of a line and helps all the letters stay in a straight line without writing in upward or downward slants.
2. Letter Height
Dividing letters into three sizes helps provide an objective measure of the height of our letters as we write. Size 1 letters are all of our tall letters. Every number and uppercase letter is considered size 1. Lowercase letters b d f h k l and t are also considered tall letters or Size 1 letters. When writing with three lined paper, these letters should touch the top line. When writing without a top line as a reference, ensure that size 1 letters stand a little taller than the rest of the letters. Size 2 letters are all of our letters that don’t touch the top line and don't extend below the bottom line. These letters include lowercase a c e m n o r s u v w x and z. The majority of lowercase letters fall into this category. When writing on three line paper, these letters should sit on top of the bottom line and touch the dotted middle line. Size 3 letters are the lowercase letters that go below the bottom line and include letters g j p q and y. When writing on three lined paper, these letters should touch the dotted middle line and extend below the bottom line. When writing without three lined paper, these letters should be the same height as the size 2 letters while still extending below the bottom line.
3. Spacing
Spacing refers to the spaces between each of our letters and the spaces between our words. Providing the correct amount of space helps improve legibility without changing too much of our letter formation. Spacing takes a little more planning and thinking ahead, especially when coming to the end of the line and deciding whether the next word will fit on the line or need to go on the line below it. A visual reference is to use “spaghetti spaces” between our letters and "meatball spaces" between our words. Between the letters, make sure there is enough space to draw a thin line as if it were a piece of spaghetti. Between our words, make sure there’s enough space to draw a small circle as if it were a meatball. Another visual reference for spacing between words is to use the width of the pinky finger.
Tips for Improving Handwriting
1. Focus on encouraging accurate line adherence, letter height, and spacing.
These are objective things with easy to follow rules as opposed to focusing on changing the way somebody forms their letters.
2. Use Three Lined Paper
Students should be learning how to write using adapted writing paper with a bottom line, a dotted middle line, and a top line with space underneath the bottom line to create room for go under letters. As children get older, the spacing between each line can get smaller, but students should continue to use three lined paper through third grade. Many schools do not provide three lined paper after first or second grade. This may be fine for some students, but if your child is struggling with handwriting, request the teacher allows them to use three lined paper for their writing assignments.
3. Add Color to the Margins
Do you notice your child starting their sentences in the middle of the paper? Try using a green highlighter down the left side of the margin and remind your child to start as close to the green highlighter as they can. Use a different color on the right margin and help your child understand that if the next word they write will touch that colored portion, they should start writing on the next line.
4. Practice Mazes to Improve Visual Planning and Pencil Control
Completing mazes is a fun way to improve the ability to visually plan where the pencil needs to go by looking ahead. This will help lay the foundation for planning ahead with spacing while writing words. Mazes also help improve pencil control by trying to stay between the roads of the maze.
5. Improve Fine Motor Strength
Encourage play with small fidget toys or squishy sensory balls to promote improved fine motor dexterity and grip strength. Use Play-Doh or more resistive Therapy Putty and encourage playing with these mediums. Try hiding objects such as coins or small beads inside the doh or putty. Take turns hiding objects for them and have them hide objects for you then try racing to see who can find all the items the fastest.
Red Flags to Look for in Handwriting
These are some indicators that it might be time to reach out to an occupational therapist to assess a student’s handwriting abilities.
1. Does not demonstrate a solid hand dominance by age 5
2. Using a grasp on the pencil that looks like a fist after age 4
3. Writing is illegible
4. Grades are suffering because of their handwriting
5. Complaints of tiredness or pain in the hand after writing, coloring, or drawing
6. Writing is very light and difficult to read
7. Writing is very dark and they press very firmly on the pencil
8. Difficulty using eating utensils during meals
9. Difficulty with buttons, snaps, or zippers after age 5
10. Difficulty Using their hands to manipulate small items such as coins, small Legos, or small beads
Contact us if you have concerns regarding your child’s handwriting or fine motor abilities!