Why teach handwriting in kindergarten? Research indicates that structured handwriting lessons lead to improved writing performance, increased letter identification, and academic success. MRI scans done before and after letter instruction even found that when children practiced printing by hand, their neural activity was greater than those who had simply looked at their letters.
- Encourage your students to pick up small items - legos, buttons, beans, counting chips, etc.
- Provide opportunities for your students to play outside - monkey bars are great for strengthening upper body as well as finger and hand muscles.
- Teach capital letters first, then lowercase letters. Students are more familiar with capital letters and they have an easier time forming them; furthermore, capital letters all start at the top and they are distinctly different from each other.
- Instead of following an A to Z order for handwriting, present easier letters (such as F) first.
- Provide tactile opportunities for students to form letters with playdough, wood pieces, wikki stix, pipe cleaners, etc.
- If possible use a developmentally appropriate handwriting program such as Handwriting Without Tears.
Handwriting instruction can be completed in a short time - just 10 to 15 minutes each day. With a developmentally appropriate approach, you can not only help your students improve in handwriting, but you can also enhance their learning and performance in language arts and math.
To compliment your handwriting program, we offer several products:
