Handwriting

Is your child nearing the start of his or her first year of school? If so, you’ve likely pondered whether your child is actually ready for school. What emotions will they feel? What emotions will I feel? Will they be able to stay focused long enough? Can they write their name?

Handwriting is a complex skill. It is a product of many muscle groups, large to small, working together with a well-developed visual system in order to form letters on a page. Our society has placed a norm on handwriting development that, well, is not totally fair. Sure, some children will be able to write their name in larger-than-life letters across an entire piece of paper around 5 years of age. Others will continue their fine motor development into their 6th year, and no, this does not mean they are “delayed”. Between the ages of 5 and 6, children are changing a palmer grasp (marker in the fist) to a more delicate incomplete tripod grasp.

Around age 5, look for these fine motor skills:

–Uses one hand consistently for fine motor tasks

-Cuts along a straight, thick line with scissors

-Draws intersecting lines (+)

-Folds paper diagonally

-Threads beads

Around age 6, look for these fine motor skills:

-Demonstrates clear hand dominance

-Begins to show tripod grasp

-Uses eating utensils with increased accuracy

-Ties shoes (may begin around age 5 and progress until around age 7)

-Copies letters and numbers

-Prints their name, as well as other letters and numbers

It’s important that children have fun. After all, play is among a child’s most important occupations. To promote handwriting development, engage your child in fine motor play. Try the following:

-Make shadow puppets

-Form Play-Doh into various shapes, using writing utensils, plastic cutlery, and cookie cutters to explore

-Pop bubbles with pointer fingers (index isolation is a crucial fine motor skill)

-Thread pieces of circular cereal onto string or straws

For a thorough evaluation of fine motor and school-readiness skills, schedule an occupational therapy evaluation at Total Pediatrics. We can be reached at (606) 679-1761 or email us at info@totalrehabcenter.com.