Handwriting is a complex task . Multi-sensory, kinesthetic activities prepare preschool students for letter and number formation before formal writing lessons begin.
What's the big deal with handwriting? A child grabs a pencil, copies letters, and all is well... right? Well, not exactly. With preschool and pre-K becoming more popular, more children are learning to write earlier. While this might be helpful for reading readiness, research shows that a straight-to-the-pencil approach is developmentally inappropriate for many children and may actually cause problems later on.
At a recent two-day Handwriting Without Tears Workshop, Presenter Patty Bunce, OTR discussed the problems that can occur when children begin writing early but without age appropriate guidance. "Preschools," she explained, "shove all of these kindergarten skills into pre-K." Thus, she continued, "Many kids are going into kindergarten with terrible habits."
This is not to say that young children cannot learn letters. Rather, Bunce suggest ed that quality pre-K programs will emphasize informal multi-sensory and developmentally appropriate readiness activities.
For instance, Bunce suggested that young students should spend a lot of time coloring and drawing with crayons. The resistance that a crayon gives strengthens children's fingers and provides tactile feedback in a way that markers and even pencils will not. Coloring with crayons on construction paper will provide even more resistance. Additionally, crayons are small and developmentally appropriate for little hands as children learn a proper tripod grip.
Squeezing and rolling clay or play dough is another excellent readiness activity that strengthens little hands in preparation for handwriting. Teach students to roll dough balls into snakes. The snakes can then be used to create shapes and letters.
Finally, it is also important to include gross motor activities to "wake up" the brain and help students to become more comfortable with their bodies. Dancing and other kinesthetic activities are fun and provide a wonderful foundation for fine motor movements to come.
