|
This page
contains answers to common questions regarding motor skills in
children.
- My daughter just turned five and still switches
hands during coloring and writing. She is going to kindergarten in a
few months. Should we intervene?
- My son is easily frustrated with coloring,
drawing and cutting skills. He struggles with buttoning and snapping
his clothes. At 4 ½ years old he is still holding his crayon
with a fisted grasp. Is he at risk for handwriting difficulties?
- Won't handwriting become obsolete due to computer
use?
- What are the benefits to a multi-sensory approach
for handwriting?
- What if I have other questions?
It is
important that when your daughter begins writing instruction she learns
using a consistent, preferred hand. Writing is a kinesthetic/motor task
that requires practice and repetition. When children switch hands, it
slows the acquisition of a consistent motor plan/sequence. Over the
next few weeks (without necessarily being obvious about it), hand her
silverware, scissors, crayons, toothbrushes, balls, etc. at her middle.
Make a mental note of which hand she takes the item and uses to
complete the task. Keep a tally/chart to help keep track. Also pay
attention to how adept she is with each hand. Does she usually start
out with one but switch as she tires? Ask her which hand feels better
with tasks and why.
Back to Top
If your
son is avoiding fine motor activities, he is at risk for not developing
finger strength and fine motor control at a typical rate. He may use a
whole-hand grasp because he does not yet have the coordination and
strength to use a more mature pattern. By 4 ½ years old we
would expect him to use a fingertip pattern for coloring and writing.
Increase his motivation to participate in strengthening and
manipulative activities by tapping into his interests and making
activities fun. Modeling clay, pop beads, Legos®, interlocking
toys, squirt toys, construction kits with large nuts/bolts and squeeze
toys are a few ideas. Work on drawing on a chalkboard, use a third to
half stick of chalk and work slightly above his eye level to practice
tracing in wiggly or zigzag paths, drawing or writing the letter(s) of
his name.
Back to Top
At this
point, handwriting is required for completing worksheets, recording in
student planners, test taking, note taking, and standardized tests
across all subject areas. When school budgets include a computer at
every student desk, writing demands may be reduced.
Back to Top
Tapping
into several different learning modalities helps kids learn and retain
information. During handwriting instruction, we combine visual,
auditory and tactile/kinesthetic input to tap into learning strengths
and reduce confusion.
- Visual:
teacher models formation sequence of numeral or letter, supervised
tracing, starting dots (where to begin the letter form) are provided,
boxes or lines are given to help define the boundaries for formation.
- Auditory:
in addition to visual demonstration, teacher includes a
“mnemonic device” to describe movements:
“Make an S and close the gate, that’s how we make
the number 8”. Students use these during letter/number
formation.
- Tactile/Kinesthetic:
letters and numbers are formed with a variety of fun manipulatives.
Geoboards, pegs, shaped wood pieces, sandpaper letters and magnet
tracing are some hands-on activities used. Messy media (such as
playdough, silly putty and shaving cream) help hands feel the formation.
Back to Top
If you
have a question you would like to ask, please contact us by email.
Back to Top
|
