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Beyond writing for handwriting ….
When analyzing a child for handwriting readiness, the dynamics of simple letter formation, prewriting strokes, or academic work are all considered. Being a pediatric occupational therapist and a direct service provider to many children who have difficulty producing written work I not only look at their work samples but also assess how a child holds her pencil, the strength in her hands to hold the writing instrument, finger mobility, joint positioning and posture.
As caregivers or teachers we sometimes forget that there are certain prerequisites for our child to write legibly. Many times a parent tells me that their child has a good pencil grip but they still cannot produce homework or written class assignments. In those cases, I watch out for dynamic finger movements, hyperextension of joints, overall functionality of the hand and other physical and cognitive skills that go into producing handwritten work. Lots of fidgeting or switching of the grasp is a sign that the child is getting fatigued in the hands.
Joint integrity of the hands, fingers and wrist needs to be analyzed as a part of the pencil grasp as well. A very tight or loose grasp pattern can put undue pressure on the joints of the hand. Another thing to watch for is posture. If the child is unable to maintain an adequate posture (for example, if she slouches or presents with poor core strength) it will greatly impact her fine motor skills and hinder handwriting development. There are many other fine motor skills needed for the development of good handwriting and successful academic work. If you feel that your child is having difficulties with handwriting, please reach out to an occupational therapist or contact me at Tanyamalikotr@gmail.com to discuss your concerns.
