Technology has become an unquestionable aspect of our everyday life. Yet, it has its limits. It is disadvantageous to replace handwriting instructions with keyboarding instructions completely. Particularly for children at the elementary level.
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Advantages of Teaching Handwriting
Researchers from thesisgeek.com say there is a link between naming letters and writing letters articulately. Moreover, there is a connection between naming letters effortlessly and effective reading progress.
Students can better recognize letters when they can write their critical features with ease. Thus teaching students handwriting skills develops their reading articulacy. When students shift to keyboard writing before they master handwriting, their capability to distinguish letters is likely to reduce. According to a study, students who handwrite come up with more ideas compared to keyboard writers.
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Teaching Handwriting Skills
You do not need to invest heavily in handwriting instructions. You can incorporate short lessons and constant feedback in all aspects of the syllabus for the learner.
Handwriting instructions have four key characteristics.
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Pencil Grasp
There are proper and improper ways to grasp a pen. The right way involves the forefinger and the thumb holding the pen against the mid-finger.
There are two methods you can use to teach pencil grasping skills. In one, the students need to place their pencils with the scripting ends facing them. Once they pinch the pencil in between the forefinger and the thumb, they flip it to the right position.
The second way is to use rubber bands. Students can wrap rubber bands around their pinkie and ring fingers to help fold them against their hands.
Proper grasping techniques help in productive and comfortable handwriting. Improper grasping skills lead to fatigue and inadequate letter formation skills.
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Formation
Students find it easier to write straight lines compared to curved ones. Thus, teaching upper-case letters before small letters are fitting. Incorporate phonics instructions with handwriting. That way, scholars master how to pronounce the letter sounds as they master to write them.
While teaching handwriting, show the learner how to form letters from the middle or top depending on the letter. Guide them on how to use continual strokes when producing alphabets. The student needs to know when to lift the pencil and when not to. There are letters that students often confuse. Mastering the outlines of letters such as b and d can help the student distinguish them.
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Legibility
The spacing of words is a crucial aspect of legibility. You can teach your pupils to use their fingers to space out words. Another way of teaching word spacing is the use of a narrow wooden tongue depressor.
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Pacing
Proper formation and pencil grasping skills improve pacing skills. Pressing is another element that affects pacing. The student should avoid pressing down the pencil too hard against the paper. They need to find the right balance when pressing to improve the rate of alphabet production.
Conclusion
A student’s day is full of instructional priorities most of the time. You may find it difficult to slot in handwriting instructions in their schedule. On the other hand, students only need a short time in a day to improve their handwriting skills. You only need to keep encouraging them.
