| People often joke that when a person has bad | | | | way the letters shape and bend you need to give |
| handwriting they must be a doctor. Handwriting is still | | | | them enough room to experiment. Constricting their |
| an important part of our everyday lives. Even though | | | | writing space will cause them to develop skills that |
| as adults we spend a lot of time typing on a computer | | | | won't be helpful. We all wrote on big tablets because |
| for work and less time writing things down doesn't | | | | we were learning, give them the same memories. |
| mean we should neglect the basic skills. Most jobs | | | | Tip#3 |
| require you to have good typing skills but nobody ever | | | | Spacing between letters is a must. Before they learn |
| pushes good handwriting. Unless you take the time to | | | | to read words they see how letters of the alphabet |
| practice good penmanship you might have to buy a | | | | are placed. There is a space between each letter, not |
| rubber stamp. | | | | a large space but enough to indicate that it's being |
| Everybody learns how to write in grammar school. | | | | reserved. Helping them to understand that the spacing |
| You tightly grip your No. 2 pencil; lean your head to the | | | | between designates room for another letter is |
| right or left depending on your writing hand, stick the tip | | | | important. When they begin to write you can suggest |
| of your tongue out to one side, and begin. Many | | | | that they lay their finger in between the letter they |
| children either shine in this area or it becomes a daily | | | | have written and the letter they are going to write. |
| struggle to write legible. There are a few tips that you | | | | Tip #4 |
| can offer to help a child develop great handwriting | | | | Applaud any effort and correct with loving kindness. |
| skills. | | | | When children are trying things for the first time they |
| Tip #1 | | | | want to succeed. They see their parents skillfully |
| Use a pencil, yes, as simple as this sounds some | | | | cooking and driving and to them you are the master, |
| parents think the word penmanship requires a pen, it | | | | they want to be too. Help them to correct their own |
| doesn't. You should find a pencil that your child feels | | | | writing as well, don't do it for them or they will expect it |
| comfortable with. Grip is important but not everybody | | | | each time. Pretty soon you will have little hand written |
| holds a pencil the same way, give your child the | | | | notes with backwards letters covering your |
| freedom to be comfortable or you will face an uphill | | | | refrigerator. |
| climb. No. 2 pencils seem to be the norm; also, use a | | | | Tip #5 |
| pencil that doesn't roll, one that has flat sides is best. A | | | | Find some handwriting worksheets so it becomes |
| pencil gripper might also help if they are squeezing too | | | | more fun to learn how to write. School lessons are |
| tight. You can even get them a pencil holder so they | | | | just that, lessons. Give them something fun to do with |
| know right where to reach for a leaded writing | | | | their handwriting skills. It will help them to develop more |
| instrument. | | | | confidence when the pressure is off. And remember |
| Tip #2 | | | | that learning takes time, try learning something while |
| Writing paper is very important. Children who are | | | | they are learning to write, you will see how hard it |
| learning how to write letters should not be practicing on | | | | really is to adapt. |
| college rule paper. Since they are discovering which | | | | |