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Handwriting: Best Practices Debbie Shatrowsky/Occupational Therapist. Ergonomics. 90° rule- hips, knees, ankles Trunk, neck and head vertically aligned Wrist in slight extension Desktop 1” to 2” above elbow when seated Paper angled- right handed/right corner up, left handed/left corner up.
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Handwriting:Best PracticesDebbie Shatrowsky/Occupational Therapist
Ergonomics • 90° rule- hips, knees, ankles • Trunk, neck and head vertically aligned • Wrist in slight extension • Desktop 1” to 2” above elbow when seated • Paper angled- right handed/right corner up, left handed/left corner up
Looking Out For Lefties • Preventing the “hook” • Left corner of paper elevated, okay for student to have an exaggerated slant • Left handed writers will sometimes pull into their hand which causes them to write from right to left
Left handed • Slant left corner up • Okay to have exaggerated slant
Right handed • slant right corner up
Pencil Grip Developmental sequence • Palmer 1- 2 years of age • Digital pronate- 2 to 3 years of age • Transitional Grips • Static tripod- 3 ½ to 4 years of age • Dynamic or quadrupod - 4 ½ to 6 years of age
Efficient Writing Grips Dynamic Tripod Quadrupod Adapted Tripod
Correcting Grip Twist N Write Pencil Handiwriter Crossover Grotto Jumbo Big Grip
Slant board • To decrease wrist flexion • Visual difficulties
Developmental Sequence of Prewriting • Imitation-vertical, horizontal, circle • Copying ~ 2yr.10mo. vertical ~ 3 horizontal and circle ~ 4 to 4 yr. 11 mo. cross, diagonals, and X ~ 5 yrs. 3 mo. triangle (Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration)
Developmental Approach to Handwriting • Handwriting Without Tears® L F E H I – Verticals and horizontals U C O Q G S J D P B- lines and curves R K A V M N W X Y Z- diagonals Uses a sensory motor approach
Promoting Development of Fine-Motor Skills • Sensory motor approach- rainbow letters • Whole arm to promote motor planning • Wet sponge • Air writing • Strengthening- incorporate pinching activities: clothes pins, strawberry hullers for sorting small objects, cutting play-dough snakes, poker chip or bingo chip activities • Parents- encourage wheel barrel walking with their child
Promoting Proper Stroke, Number and Letter Formation • Model sound handwriting behaviors • Reading and writing follow the same basic patterns - top to bottom, left to right • Orally describe the pattern when introducing and practicing letter formation
Promoting Proper Formation • Stress correct starting point and formation of letters i.e. large writing on chalkboard, wet-dry-try, etc. • Make sure the tool size is proportional to the hand size • Forget the dot-to-dot use whole strokes when practicing writing
Wet Dry Try Adult writes letter Student erases with wet sponge, dries, and then writes
Integrating Handwriting and Reading Programs Option 1: Separate the handwriting and reading sequence (remind students when letters and sounds have been previously taught) Option 2: Integrate the handwriting and reading sequence (when introducing letter formation also introduce the sound/s and when introducing letter sounds use direct instruction for learn letter formation) Option 3: Follow the reading sequence when introducing letter names and formation (Leanne Meisinger/Learning Specialist CCPS)
Based on UDL principles there are four major channels of learning: • Visual learnerslearn through seeing. • Auditorylearnersprefer to listen • Tactilelearners like to use their fine-motor skills when learning • Kinestheticlearners need to use their bodies in the learning process. They need to “do”. They are hands-on learners. • http://www.cast.org/udl/
Resources • Amazon.com • Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration 6th Ed. • ccpsatot.wikispaces.com • Educate and Celebrate (http://www.learning-experts.com) • hwtears.com • Office Depot • Meisinger, Leanne /Learning Specialist CCPS • Therapyshoppe.com • http://www.cast.org/udl/