Handwriting

Handwriting is an integral part of every child’s school experience. 30% to 60% of the elementary school child’s class time is spent in fine motor/writing activities, with writing as the predominant task. Some students have difficulty in the production of legible handwriting. Factors that contribute to illegible writing are incorrect letter formations or reversals, inconsistent size and height of letters, variable slant and poor alignment, and irregular spacing between words and letters.

Programs to address handwriting problems have been varied and include visual perception and visuomotor and letter formation training. In order to provide the best program to children both with and without handwriting problems, it is necessary for elementary educators to understand the factors underlying the skill of handwriting. Treatment of handwriting difficulties is multisensory in nature.