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LIFE&FAMILY
128
April15
How important is handwriting in this age of iPads and
computers?
Time devoted by teachers and parents to teaching young children the
fundamentals of correct pencil grip and letter formation certainly has its
benefits. This does not mean that we neglect or downplay the importance
of keyboarding skills. Both handwriting and keyboarding have their place
in all curriculums. The key, we believe, is balance in ensuring that the
learning of children is meaningful, purposeful and relevant.
What is the relationship between hand and brain when it
comes to composing thoughts and ideas?
Handwriting is important for a number of reasons. Research has shown
that improving handwriting skills has benefits for cognitive and motor
skill development. Indiana University psychologist Karin James says the
“doing” part of drawing letters by hand increases activity in three areas
of a child’s brain.
Research by psychologist Virginia Berninger at the University of
Washington has shown that handwriting and keyboarding generate
different brain patterns in children. Handwriting enables children
to produce more words and ideas. The slower process involved in
handwriting, and the eye’s focus on one letter at a time (as opposed to
moving from keyboard to screen), may also aid cognitive development.
Should parents worry if their child’s handwriting is messy?
A child’s grip on the pencil is one of the first things looked at by teachers
in the case of poor writing. The correct grip enables a child to write
neatly, and at a reasonable speed. Children progress through different
stages of pencil grip development, but as they get older the development
of cursive writing skills requires fine
motor control.
The writer has to focus on the
process and the pace of writing.
Children who have established good
grip and posture are better able
to concentrate on the size, shape,
slope, spacing and speed of their
writing. If a child has underlying
developmental delays or other
difficulties and his or her handwriting
is untidy, additional assistance may
be necessary. Consultation with the
child’s teacher or an occupational
therapist is recommended.
Modern technology has undeniably changed how we
communicate. However, the skill of handwriting retains its
importance in education, employment and our everyday lives.
CHARLOTTE HUMPHREY, Assistant Principal and Head of
Primary andMiddle School at
Avondale Grammar School
,
explains why it matters.
GET A GRIP
Is handwriting a core learning goal, or has
this been overtaken by keyboarding?
There is a greater focus on handwriting in the new
Australian Curriculum followed at Avondale, which
highlights its significance. Important skills are
involved in this complex task, including language,
cognitive, visual and auditory processing, spatial
awareness, and both fine and gross motor skills.
Keyboarding doesn’t eliminate the need for
explicit teaching of handwriting. Once children
have formed bad habits such as poor pencil grip
or incorrect letter formation, these habits are hard
to change. Just as important is a child’s access to
keyboarding.
Simple and fun writing activities
For younger children:
• Using a paintbrush dipped in water,
practise letter formation by painting
letters on a wall or on the ground.
• Challenge children to form their names,
or words, with Play-Doh.
• Write letters and words with a paintbrush
dipped in glue; then pour glitter or sand
over them. When the glue is dry, the child
can trace the letters with his or her finger.
For older children:
• Record their experiences of a family
holiday or special outing.
• Write a note to the child, and encourage
the child to write back.
• Emphasising the pleasure to be gained
from sending a handwritten letter to a
family member or friend – and receiving
one in return.
Avondale Grammar School
is at 318 Tanglin
Road, Phoenix Park.
6258 8544 | avondale.edu.sg