Handwriting & Fine Motor Archives

Four Essential Printing Readiness Skills

April 15, 2018 Print Path Handwriting & Fine Motor, Just for Pre-K, Occupational Therapy 3 comments

Do your students have the motor skills they need to be ready to learn to print? Over many years of teaching children early drawing, pencil skills and handwriting, I have found that there is a particular foolproof order of pre-writing development. First: Children need to be able to imitate fine motor actions. Learning the song plays that are associated with singing is a fun way to learn motor imitation. 1. Imitating Gross and Fine Motor Actions Second: They need to be able to follow dot cues to form early lines and shapes. They learn to control the pencil so that they can stay within paths. 2. Starting at a Go-Dot 2. Staying Within a Path Third: They learn to look ahead to where they want the pencil to go to make consistent, recognizable shapes. They first learn this skill when they are looking at the shape they want to draw.

The Fine Motor Advantage: Nuts and Bolts

March 10, 2018 Print Path Handwriting & Fine Motor, Just for Pre-K, Occupational Therapy 3 comments

So what are the fine motor skills that give young children such a serious academic advantage?

The Fine Motor Advantage

February 10, 2018 Print Path Elementary Literacy, Handwriting & Fine Motor, Just for Pre-K, Occupational Therapy 4 comments

What does research tell us about the impact of fine motor skills on early academics?

8 Essential Handwriting Readiness Skills

October 20, 2017 Print Path Handwriting & Fine Motor, Just for Pre-K, Occupational Therapy, Sensory & Self-Regulation 2 comments

Do your students have the pre-writing, visual-motor, fine motor and executive functioning skills that they need?

Apples or Oranges, Handwriting Practice or Instruction?

September 10, 2017 Print Path Elementary Literacy, Handwriting & Fine Motor, Just for Pre-K, Occupational Therapy, Other 4 comments

Functional handwriting is a key to both learning and expressing one’s self. Automatic handwriting skills open doors for children, allowing them to take in, process, and recall new information, and to express themselves through written language. If you are a parent, teacher, or therapist and you tend to think of ‘handwriting instruction’ and ‘handwriting practice’ as one in the same, check out this post!

Cat’s Play For Strong Hands

August 27, 2017 Print Path Handwriting & Fine Motor, Occupational Therapy, Sensory & Self-Regulation 4 comments

Use an enticing game to add power to shoulders, arms, and hands by adding a simple twist to this classic children’s activity.

Top 5 Reasons Why So Many Children Have Poor Handwriting

May 21, 2017 Print Path Elementary Literacy, Handwriting & Fine Motor, Occupational Therapy One comment

As an occupational therapist, I get many referrals for children who have difficulty with handwriting speed & legibility. Teachers and parents often assume that the reason for a child having problems is that they have fine-motor difficulties or delays.

Part 3. Ten Tips and Tricks To Support Pencil Grasp In The Moment

January 15, 2017 Print Path Handwriting & Fine Motor, Just for Pre-K, Occupational Therapy 5 comments

After you have identified and started to address the root issue interfering with pencil grasp, see Part 1 & 2, you can apply a variety of strategies to specifically facilitate and teach pencil grasp.

Looking for a fun way for your students practice letter sounds?

December 27, 2016 Print Path Elementary Literacy, Handwriting & Fine Motor, Occupational Therapy Leave a comment

Hand strength and endurance is one-factor limiting sustained writing. As an occupational therapist, I am always looking for ways to improve kid’s hand strength! Since punching holes is so motivating for kids, I use punch cards as an engaging way to combine phonics and motor skills into a fun task for independent or partner work. Punching is so fun children will choose to do it during free choice or privilege time!

Part 2. Factors Interfering With Pencil Grasp Development: Addressing The Root of the Problem

November 20, 2016 Thia Elementary Literacy, Handwriting & Fine Motor, Just for Pre-K, Occupational Therapy, Other Leave a comment

The four main factors that interfere with pencil grasp development and what parents and teachers can do to address those factors.