Legible handwriting is writing you can read easily and quickly. When working in a general education setting, most children I worked with did not have a diagnosis of dysgraphia or other writing impairment. But, many were struggling with handwriting skills. When looking at the bell curve used to determine if a student needs occupational therapy, most of these students fell into the average scale range of 85-115. These students were on the lower end. Think 87,93 as a score. They didn’t qualify. But needed the support BADLY!
Legible Handwriting Course Personal History
I hope you do not mind. I wanted to share a personal story with you. This story helps explain my love for getting students the help they need, even if they do not get the support of an occupational therapist in school!
I have a friend with two children, and one was diagnosed and had occupational therapy throughout their life. Due to this, they had legible handwriting and executive functioning skills and were succeeding in college.
The other child fell right into the average range of the bell curve but on the lower end. This child was able to succeed, but in high school and college, they struggled with organization, time management, and other skills an occupational therapist would have been able to help with.
I kept this family in mind while developing my Legible Handwriting for Kids program. This program fits all kids, not just kids with dysgraphia or other diagnoses.
3 Secrets to Help (Older) Children With Legible Handwriting
There are 3 secrets I wanted to share with you. They are important to remember and consider while working through the course and helping your child or student!
Important: These secrets are NOT for our pre-k/kinder friends’. These are for students who should already know letter formation and be automatic with writing skills but are not. The stage where teachers don’t have a lot of resources to help, therapists don’t have a lot of resources either, and parents have no idea how to help their child at this age.
Looking for some handwriting resources to use with any age? Click Here
Handwriting Secret #1: STOP Letter Formation
Yes, we need to stop working on letter formation with older children. It’s a waste of time, upsetting, and often embarrassing. Letter formation is the last piece I may or may not address when working on handwriting legibility with an older student. Many believe legible handwriting is only possible with the best letter formation, which is not the case.
Handwriting Secret #2: STOP Random Practice
Workbooks can be helpful, and handwriting packets may be a good idea sometimes. But, many times, kids are just trying to match the written sample. They “draw it,” not write it. We need automatic writing, not writing, which takes 15 minutes and looks like an art project. While I am at it, stop the primary paper with older students as well, this is not helping improve handwriting either.
I have tons of quick videos on my YouTube Channel to help answer all of your questions. Plus, I am always looking for suggestions for videos so leave a comment or two!
Handwriting Secret #3: STOP focusing on Fine Motor Skills/Motor Skills
There is no need to focus on fine motor skills/motor skills once students are older. Working on fine motor skills will not improve legible writing or automatic handwriting. Although fine motor skills are definitely needed when teaching letters to younger learners, as students get older, focusing on fine motor skills will not help improve handwriting.
Click here for a few of my Top Tips on How to Fix Messing Handwriting!
Legible Handwriting For Kids
Any adult looking to help students or their own children should pick up my Legible Handwriting Club Bundle. You’ll receive a private platform full of videos, activities, and handouts. I help walk you through the process I use in my practice. You’ll pretty much feel like I am sitting at your dining room table! The best part? You have the resources for as long as you want. It’s not fun when I go back to look up helpful information, and my membership has expired after 6 months! So grab a pencil, and get ready to see your child’s writing ability improve!
