Helpful hints to enhance your child's
Writing Skills
*First and Foremost*
Writing and Reading skills tend to develop independently, but to have a strong writer, as well as a strong reader, it is important to show the child the connection between reading and writing.
Practicing the formation of letters is not the most exciting thing for them to do but you can make it fun. Let them make letters in whip cream or pudding on a baking sheet (or similar consistency).
Practice writing letters on each others backs and try to guess which letter was made.
Make your own play-dough and form the letters using the dough. If it is temporary just mix flour and water.
Make the connection to reading, "look you can make the letter __ and find it in a book.
All letters are formed starting at the top of them.
Practice one letter at a time, and write it 5-10 times in a variety of mediums (air write, with marker, pencil, crayon, chalk, and on different surfaces to avoid frustration).
Motor/Movement activities for at home to assist in the development of fine motor skills
Motor development is an important part of writing. Activities that are for both the whole body (gross motor) and hands, arms, and shoulders (fine motor) all contribute to better physical writing skills. The following are some activities to strengthen your child's fine motor skills. These weight bearing activities may seem silly but they will help develop good writing skills, including; pencil grip, position on the pencil and finger, hand and wrist movement.
Carrying in groceries, or even gallons of milk, is really good for grip strength.
Carrying things around the house, yard and garden work (using a wheelbarrow and/or shovel) are good for strengthening hand and upper body.
Forming things out of modeling clay or playdoh. (Squeezing it between the fingers, rolling out long thin snakes, pressing it in the flat of the hand, cutting it, writing letters in it with a stick, making shapes with cookie cutters by bearing down)
Cutting construction paper for the fun of it, not accuracy.
Filling and dumping containers with sand, rice or water.
Stirring batter
Weight bearing activities, such as, wheelbarrow walking, crab-walking, crawling, pushing a ball back and forth with one hand while on your hands and knees.
Have your child play board games, watch T.V. or listen to a story while on his/her belly. This will increase strength in their neck, shoulders and upper back.
Play ball with your child on "all fours" position (let them take breaks off their hands and arms by resting back on heels, but not for too long!) having them lift one arm (alternate arms)to return the ball that is rolled.
Writing or drawing on a vertical slant, against gravity, using an easel or taping paper to a wall or door.
Wall push-ups
Suggestions made in collaboration with Susan Ponton, OT