Studies have shown that an individual's handwriting can reveal what type of person they are. Handwriting is expression, it can leave lasting impression on any person. A few student have gifted ability of good handwriting. Some needs to go extra mile to develop their handwriting. In education, Learning to write is a process of advancement , that every child take ups for expression in life.
Here is the brief understanding about the process of handwriting in students . This complex process begins with scribblings. Watch a baby with pen it makes those mundane marks ,circular marks and becoming curious about its pen art on paper or wall that really brings a joy around .For a preschooler handwriting start with learning Prewriting skills by practicing patterns at preschool .
Pre-writings are dots : , strokes III--- and wavy pattern /\/\/\ UUU ,they are foundation to functional writing and part of pre academic skills. Pre writing is succeeded by maturation towards handwriting (manuscript and cursive handwriting).At kindergarten age , upper and lower case writing begins. Many micro mechanism (below) play role while writing to bring out into productivity onto paper. There are building blocks to learn writing.
Every young student need to develop these foundational skills to write successfully and accomplish academically.
Let us know the requirements while writing -
Good Sitting posture will not lead to fatigue and stress while writing. Student should be seated in ideal posture (better core muscle) at table while writing. Chair should support the back, spine erect and feet supported. Working desk should be slight slanting downward toward student to rest elbow and wrist.
Preference of hand either right or left use. Ability to cross the body midline precede the preference of hand use leading to ease of movement across the other half of body. Eye to hand coordination and Bilateral coordination contribute to functionality .
Proximal stability (shoulder joint ) should have been achieved .It is your scapular and shoulder region. Muscles in this region should have good strength and movement. Proximal stability supports the coordination and writing .Wrist stability (slight extension) offers stability and coordination again.
During preschool age ,child undergoes various grasping patterns to hold pencil. Primitive reflex integration support the changes in grasping patterns and fine motor skills .Ideally dynamic Tripod (holding the pencil between thumb and middle finger with index finger on pencil) is considered functional for writing .Tripod grasp on pencil especially, index finger supports directionality and functionality while writing.
Praxis is ability to perform a task in novel situation. Praxis components help student to master the skill and also provides ability to generalize/carryforward in other context. Praxis enhances with interaction between the child and his environment.
Eventually student should have optimal sensory processing (integration , discrimination and synchronized ),cognitive processing (Attention, memory and executive function),Reaction time and perceptual processing (visual and auditory) that are happening at mental higher level supporting regulation and modulation while writing.
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Student has to negotiate through above skill set to attend writing ability.
Patience , Consistent and Practice is necessary to accomplish learning new skill.
Young students should also be encouraged to develop these three ingredients in life to achieve successful academic and future work life.
Being an Occupational therapist ,I guide young students to develop writing skills . there are numerous strategies and programs to achieve ability of writing straight from developing the mindset for writing till writing productivity in writing process .
I facilitate higher mental work, posture, grasp and gripping of pencil, coordination ,balance, regulation and modulation of student .
Occupational therapy evaluation provides analysis on skill set requires for writing process through standardized or observational assessments and offers therapeutic planning to fill the gaps /blocks that are refraining the student's ability to achieve writing ability.
Occupational therapy base writing program supports school's in overcoming writing refusal behavior and hand writing related issues by enhancing writing Literacy, Ability, Discipline and Academic productivity in their students.
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