Handwriting is a difficult skill to teach, so we’ve asked our team of experienced tutors for their top handwriting tips. Although electronic gadgets are increasingly incorporated into teaching, handwriting remains a necessary skill in the primary school curriculum. So, read on for our top handwriting tips.
1. Have handwriting materials at home
To encourage your child to practice their handwriting at home, keep a small selection of handwriting materials readily available. Pencils and pens and sheets of paper are enough to get your child started. When your child writes, ensure they develop a good grasp and let the pen or pencil rest next to the base of the thumb, holding it in place with their thumb, index and middle fingers. Additionally, encourage them to sit properly in an upright chair at a comfortable height with a straight back. Their head should be high enough to see the pencil or pen forming the letters and there should be good light for them to see.
Remember, good posture is important for all children, and even more so for children who are left-handed. They often have the tendency to develop a cramped, curled hand position, making it very difficult to develop a neat handwriting. It is, therefore, important to encourage good posture from an early age.
2. Use lined paper as a guide
Lined paper is your child’s best friend when it comes to developing good handwriting. They serve as a perfect guide to how big or small letters are, allowing your child to develop a feel for how the different letters relate to each other. So, add lined paper to your supply of handwriting materials to make (handwriting) life easier for your child.
3. Make handwriting part of everyday life
Make handwriting a part of your daily life. Encourage your child to write out the list for your next shopping trip, leave notes for each other in a busy household or have them write a letter to family and friends abroad. Over time, this will show them that making sure they and others can read their handwriting is, indeed, a skill for life.
4. Display your child’s work
It is important that you show your child that you’re proud of their efforts. Therefore, displaying their work could be the motivation they need to show off their skills. If you don’t have a noticeboard, you could use the fridge door. You and your child could also make a scrapbook with your favourite pieces to have a unique record of progress and achievement.
5. Play games
Most children love a good game and playing games could be the motivation your child needs to practice their handwriting. There are many games that require you to write or draw pictures, and use the skills they need to better control their pen or pencil. These include Jenga or Hangman, or for some more imaginative play, why not have your child pretend that they’re a famous celebrity and let them give you their autograph?
6. Let us help
We teach many of our little students to improve their handwriting each year as we put these handwriting tips and years of experience into practice. Our team of expert tutors are happy to devise a bespoke programme for your child to address their specific handwriting needs. So, find out more about our tutoring services for primary school children and contact us at 02030867311 or info@ubertutors.co.uk to discuss how we can best support your child.
