Strategies and Activities for Handwriting

Tip # 2 "Talking" as you write...

© Beverley Paine

an excerpt from from pages 11-16 in Developing Handwriting by Beverley Paine, reprinted with permission

You and the child vocalise the movement of the hand, direction, starting place, etc. when writing or scribing, e.g.

• when I write h, I start at the top, I move the pencil down and then back up, around and down
• to write a c, the pencil starts on the right and moves smoothly up, to the left, around, down, and then curls up as if it were going to return
  to the starting point Using this type of language has the added bonus of developing spatial mathematical understanding. You can also use imaginative language - often how you verbally illustrate the physical processes involved in handwriting will depend on the individual
  situation, child or writing purpose.

11. Children make autograph books and collect samples of other people's handwriting. You could discuss how handwriting styles have changed historically,
and compare the different styles taught in schools this century.

12. Children can make alphabet books using different handwriting styles, or practice calligraphy. You could print various fonts from the computer and let the children practice copying them. Children can add these styles to their charts and suggest
and record appropriate times to use them.

15. You can provide appropriate models of handwriting styles, presentation, format, etc. according to the purpose and audience of the writing, e.g.

• labels for displays
• labels for everyday objects (encourages reading development)
• labels for cupboards, files and boxes
• labels for completed children's work
• instructions
• posters
• letters