Why is teaching handwriting so difficult and what can we do about it?
Jun 29, 2024
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Neil Almond, an expert in handwriting and education, shares insights from his work in the researchED Guide to Primary Literacy. He discusses why handwriting is still vital in the digital age, linking it to improved literacy and memory. Almond reveals surprising findings from recent research on the challenges students face in mastering handwriting. He also introduces structured teaching approaches, like the Kinetic Letters program, to overcome difficulties and enhance fluency. The conversation is engaging, filled with practical strategies for educators.
Handwriting plays a critical role in cognitive development and literacy, activating brain regions linked to memory more effectively than typing.
Successful handwriting instruction requires recognizing individual readiness through visual-motor integration skills and employing a holistic, supportive teaching approach.
Deep dives
The Importance of Handwriting in Education
Handwriting is crucial for cognitive development and literacy, even in a digital age where keyboards are prevalent. Research indicates that handwriting activates different regions of the brain associated with memory and learning, making it more beneficial than typing, particularly for young children. Studies show that those who engage in handwriting exhibit stronger connections between auditory sounds and their written forms, which is vital for literacy. As children learn to write, they build essential cognitive and motor skills that can significantly impact their overall academic performance.
Readiness for Handwriting Instruction
Determining when children are ready to start handwriting instruction can be assessed through visual-motor integration skills. An effective indicator for readiness is the ability to perform an oblique cross, suggesting that the child has developed the necessary motor skills. Research has revealed that various handwriting grips, previously considered problematic, may actually be acceptable as long as they are classified as mature grasps. Recognizing this allows educators to focus on handwriting instruction without requiring students to unlearn ingrained habits that can be beneficial for their writing development.
Complexity and Challenges of Handwriting
The act of handwriting is a complex task involving various prerequisites that can overwhelm children, especially if they lack the proper support. Factors such as postural control, muscle tone, visual perception, and cognitive skills all play a significant role in a child's ability to write effectively. Many children struggle because they are pushed into writing tasks without adequately developing their handwriting skills first, leading to the formation of poor habits. This underlines the importance of fostering handwriting in a supportive manner, rather than solely focusing on text generation under pressure.
Effective Handwriting Instruction Practices
Combining visual and motor modalities in handwriting instruction enhances learning and retention of handwriting skills. Research suggests that teaching should include practice at the letter, word, and sentence levels, allowing for a more holistic approach to learning how to write. Incorporating techniques like numbered arrows for motion guidance and interactive videos can significantly improve students' handwriting fluency. Programs like Kinetic Letters have effectively integrated these principles, serving as a valuable resource for educators seeking to enhance their handwriting instruction.
Episode 183: This week onThinking Deeply about Primary Education Neil Almond joins me for a fascinating exploration of (the teaching and learning of) handwriting. Based on his upcoming chapter in the researchED Guide to Primary Literacy, we delve into the research in this field and what this means for us in the classroom.
As part of the chat we discuss...
Is handwriting important?
What was the most surprising thing you found in the research?
Why do children (and adults) find handwriting so difficult?
Are there any guiding principles we can discern from the available research?
...and much, much more.
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If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join our Discord server, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission.
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