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How to Teach Handwriting in Your Homeschool

Technology has transformed the way we live, work, and communicate, and has certainly made our lives easier. I wouldn’t want to do without our digital luxuries. However, I am part of a generation who can remember life without it. Gosh, that makes me sound old! With that said, is handwriting still important in this day and age? You bet it is! And is it easy to teach handwriting? Of course!

There are numerous studies and heaps of information about the benefits of handwriting. From increasing memory, comprehension, and recall skills, to enhancing creativity and focus. Handwriting can even aid in combating anxiety, dyslexia, and ADHD. Yet, less and less people are writing by hand these days. That’s a shame, especially when teaching handwriting is not really that difficult.

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Getting Ready to Write

The time when children learn to write may vary widely. You will notice when they begin to show interest by making scribbles and lines (usually around 2-3 years old). Give them fun opportunities to show off and enhance their skills! We’ve used things from play dough to pudding to practice fine motor skills. Keep things simple, but varied, when learning to form letters and shapes.

Common household items like shoelaces, sand, salt, and even cooked spaghetti are great to practice forming those first numbers and letters. Other no cost ideas include just a finger! Pretend your index finger is an airplane and “sky write” different letters, or shine a flashlight on a wall to form letters, or take turns finger-writing letters on each other’s back!

Getting ready to write favorites:

Starting to Write

There is so much curricula out there for teaching handwriting, that it can be difficult to sort through! Instead of becoming overwhelmed, just start with some fun handwriting paper to help visualize sizing and placement. I believe this really helps form the proper foundations in letter formation. You and your child will be ready to move on to something more structured in no time!

TIP: When beginning to write, the one thing I really wished I would have started using earlier are pencil grips. To this day, I’ve noticed my teenage son has to put in more effort than what’s needed to write, because his pencil hold is slightly off. It’s also a good time to grab those famous Ticonderoga pencils. Yes, they really are all that!

I have used my share of handwriting curriculum – Handwriting Without Tears, BJU Handwriting, A Reason for Handwriting, and PaperPie’s Wipe Clean series (which is reusable). I can’t say I have an absolute favorite, but I can say consistency is the key. Whichever you choose, set aside just a few minutes each day to practice, whether it be through workbooks, sidewalk chalk, or other hands on activities.

Print or Cursive? – That is the Question

The answer is BOTH! Some say beginning with cursive writing is easier than teaching the traditional “ball and stick” method first. I don’t have one preference over the other, except to take the time to teach writing in cursive at some point. Cursive writing has so many benefits, check out these top ten!

All of the publishers I listed above also have cursive workbooks available. A unique series that offers both print or cursive is Draw Write Now. (Books 5-8 are available in cursive, and are sold separately.) These books combine art instruction with handwriting practice, all while incorporating history and science instruction along the way. How awesome is that? They are also non- consumable, so you can use them again with other children. Totally awesome!

Keep Writing

I strongly encourage writing throughout twelfth grade. I know, I know – the kids may balk, but a once or twice a week practice will keep those handwriting skills sharp as the point of a Ticonderoga pencil! Thankfully, there are several cool workbooks available for the older, cool kids!

Other simple ideas to practice writing by hand are copywork. Copying Bible verses, song lyrics, and poetry are great practice, so are coloring books, journaling, and of course, old fashioned letter writing! There’s something special about the uniqueness and individuality of a person’s writing that will never be replaced with today’s technology.

See how easy it is to teach handwriting in your homeschool? You don’t need expensive curriculum, a certified school teacher, or an expert. Keep it fun, keep it creative, and practice, practice, practice!

Image source: RD.com, Getty Images

Celebrate National Handwriting Day

National Handwriting Day dates back to 1977, and falls on John Hancock’s birthday, January 23. Hancock is likely the most iconic scribe in US history, thanks to his famous signature on the Declaration of Independence. Legend has it, Hancock signed his name largely and clearly so that King George could read it without his spectacles! Whether that’s true or not, I can relate, and applaud his defiance. Use this day to practice your “John Hancock”!


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