Dr. Shawn Datchuk

Dr. Shawn Datchuk, professor and director at the Iowa Reading Research Center with a background in special education, talks handwriting research and practice. He discusses when to start letter formation, why lowercase and print often come first, pencil grips and comfort, routines and cues that support memory, assessing progress, and tools like LIFTER to connect handwriting with reading.

Dr. Shawn Datchuk, a Professor and director at the Iowa Reading Research Center, dives into the world of handwriting instruction. He discusses when to start teaching handwriting, emphasizing pre-K as an ideal time. The conversation reveals the link between handwriting and literacy and why lowercase letters should be taught first. Shawn also shares effective practices for young writers, like using visual cues, the importance of comfort in grip, and the benefits of maintaining handwriting skills alongside keyboarding.