I want to post some ideas for parents and tutors. This batch of ideas is about handwriting.
Because much of handwriting is about readiness, I urge you not to try and “push a rope”–if the child can’t yet visualize an uppercase cursive F, all he/she can do is copy or trace them. When the child’s visual cortex is fully developed (for boys as late as 5th-6th grade and for girls as late as 4th-5th), they will be able to picture that F in their mind’s eye.
The other hurdle is muscle memory. Pro golfers have such keen muscle memory they can know how hard to swing each club and know exactly how far it will go, even taking wind in as a factor. But they practice, and they don’t ever show you the practice on TV. Young learners may need 100-500 repetitions printing a lowercase “s” before they can automatically draw one. The only way you’ll get kids to do something 100-500 times is with fun drill and high feedback.
Roll out the whipped cream! Use a tray with sides 1″ high or more. Squirt a dollop of whipped cream (the size of a billiard ball) into the middle of the tray and let your learner spread it out. You demonstrate the letter you work on, then they “erase yours” and try it immediately (muscle memory ebbs quickly at first). I would do letters in one group below.
For Lowercase Manuscript:
Most students can learn formations of all lower-case letters in just six weeks! Groups include—
- 2 O’Clock Letters—o, a, d, g, q, c, s
- Pull-Down Letters 1—i, t, j, l, k,
- Pull-Down Letters 2-b, p, h, r, n, m
- Loop Group— f, e, u,
- Hills and Valleys—v, w, x, y, z
Manuscript Capitals:
- Slim 7 Group—P, R, B, H, K
- Umbrella Tops and Eggs—C, E, A, O, Q
- High Hills and Deep Valleys—N, M, U, V, Y
Cursive:
- 2 O’Clock Letters—o, a, d, g, q, c
- Loopy Letters: l, e, b, h, k, f,
- Wavies: i, u, w, t, j, r, p, s
- Bouncy Letters: n, m
- Rollercoasters: v, x, y, z
When you’re bored with whipped cream, try the Jello (TM) pudding cups (I suggest chocolate), or use sprinkles in a 3″ pan, or outdoors with sidewalk chalk.