how to improve children handwriting?

Answer 1

well you could get lined paper, the dot out all the letters in capitals as well, then get them to trace them every day...then do it with words, the phrases...hope this helps!

Answer 2

Have you tried cursive script? In this kind of letter formation every letter begins on the line with an entry stroke and ends with an exit stroke so that when a child is competant at the letters they begin to naturally join up. The good thing about it is that because every letter begins on the line, it helps cut out reversals and incorrect letter formation that in turn leads to poor handwriting. In school we now use something called Handwriting for Windows which is great cos you can produce worksheets and all sorts. I can verify it works too cos most of my class last year had legible neat handwriting by the end of it (and they were only 7 years old!!)

Regular practise is also key - start with individual letters, then their name, then common joins (oo, ee, ie, is, it, er, the etc).

Lastly, make sure if children are tiliting the page when they write they are tilting it the right way. Right handers are ok between 6 and 4 o'clock (imagining the clock is in front of them) whereas left handers are best between 6 and 8 o'clock.

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

I home school my 8-year-old left-handed son and his handwriting is pretty scratchy as well. Here's what I've learned from fellow teachers: (I have a NYS teacher's cert.) Fine motor skills take time. Children often want to hurry through writing assignments because they're not any fun. Sloppy handwriting is not an indication of your child's intelligence so please don't stress out over it, and don't stress your kid out over it. To make myself feel better I went to WalMart and bought The Complete Book of Handwriting, Grades K-3. My son loves having it as part of his curriculum because it's so easy. Basically tracing and writing letters and words. It's below his ability level, but that's the appeal for him; it's a no-brainer. He only does one letter a day, which equates to four easy pages. He doesn't realize it because I don't even talk about his handwriting, but his penmanship has improved over the past 2 months. I also like the books, "Cursive Handwriting" and "Cursive Success" by Jan Z. Olsen, the developer of Handwriting without Tears. I have both books on standby for future use. Rest easy.

Answer 4

There is a system called handwriting without tears, I have heard good things about it. But for a much cheaper route, get lots of wide ruled paper and have the student copy copy copy really neat examples of handwriting. Another idea is calligraphy! Get a cheap set of pens at walmart and a book from the library, get them started. Also, there are lots of books at your library on handwriting improvement.

Answer 5

I am a student teacher. I don't know much about teaching handwriting this early in my course, but here are some links to handwriting resources and articles that will help.

Answer 6

Practice, practice, practice, practice. Of course, the child has to WANT to have better handwriting, perhaps you can explain why having good handwriting is SO important, for now, and in the future...how can someone read your job application, for example...my son didn't want to improve his penmanship until a girl told him she liked him but couldn't read his notes to her!

Answer 7

Anyone Can Improve Their Handwriting ( CD ROM Movie)
By Jason Alster MSc
Handwriting is a tool for transfer of knowledge and must comply with acquired rules in order to understand what we read. The CD ROM deals with handwriting problems, rules, tips, and exercises. From students who have lower grades and self esteem to physicians who by law have to improve their writing- this CD can help. Based on 10 years experience helping ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia - Jason knows what works to improve your handwriting. Simple techniques, demonstrations - a new way of helping people of all ages improve their handwriting and be proud of their own " work of art"

Product Details

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9659025173/

CD-ROM:
Publisher: Rainbow Cloud (July 20, 2006)
ISBN: 9659025173

Also :Creative Painting For The Young Artist a book teaching the artistic mode of seeing necessary for dysgraphics to learn to paint and draw, painting block, and students who want to be creative with art. An excellent compliment to Anyone Can Improve Their Handwriting.

Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/9659025122/
Also check out these by Jason if there is a concentration or ADHD problem associated with the poor handwriting.
"BEING IN CONTROL:Natural Techniques For Increasing Your Potential And Creativity For Success In School."
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9659025114/
"Being In Control : Natural Solutions For ADHD Dyslexia and Test Anxiety'.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9659025130/

Answer 8

how old is your child?
you could write letters or sentences with dots and ask your child to overwrite it without errors.
you should keep a close watch while they do so.
watch how your child forms his letters and show him the right way if he is wrong. just sound out how to right these letters for couple of days.
at all times supervise handwriting during this period.
graded copy writing books also help.

Answer 9

Have them practise continuously, make them write you notes in cursive and stuff. The best way to improve anyones penmanship, child of adult, is to order some french penmanship books. You can probably get them off of amazon.fr and they really really help. Also, order some french writing paper, that helps you rule out how high and wide your lettres should be. Also, have them study the greek alphabet and the Japanese hirigana characters if you want them to get very good. I took greek for some of my childhood and that really helps because it forces you to pay close attention to the lettres you're forming. Same with japanese.

Answer 10

Practise, practise, practise.

I speak from experience - i had appaling hand writing as a (left handed) child.

Just ten minutes a day helps - there's lots of exercise books and online sources to give you ideas.

Also i'd concentrate on giving the child praise when they have worked hard rather than criticizing when their work is less than clear.

Emphasize how clear writing will help them express their ideas so that everyone can understand them.

My hand writing still isn't beautiful but its a lot better than it was.

Answer 11

1. Tracing over dotted letters -- 1 full page every day.
or
2. Copywork -- copy from classic literature -- 1 page every day.
or
3. Free writing -- one page every day.
and/or
4. Caligraphy practice.

My writing improved 100% when i took a class in the art of calligraphy.