Does Your Child Need Handwriting Therapy?
As a parent, it can be worrying when you see your child struggling to write, having messy letters, a subpar pencil grip, or a resistance to doing homework, but it is common among young children and has a simple solution called handwriting therapy to ease this stress for both parents and kids.
What is Handwriting Therapy for Kids?
Handwriting Therapy is a specialized category under Occupational Therapy (OT) where the foundational skills required to write with ease are addressed. The therapist evaluates and treats the underlying issues, making the handwriting difficult. Some of the problems can be,
- Fine motor skills – meaning the hand and finger strength
- Visual-motor integration – meaning how eyes and hands work together
- Core muscle strength – affects posture and stability
Why is my Child’s Handwriting Messy?
Messy handwriting can be the symptom of one or more deeper issues, such as their body and brain might be working overtime focusing on the mechanism of writing, leading to less focus on the actual content. A handwriting therapist will be able to evaluate and find out the cause using play-based activities to build these skills.
What Happens during a Handwriting Session?
Handwriting Therapy is designed to be engaging and positive for the child, and if you are curious about what to expect during this therapy, here are some of the steps in this therapy,
1. Initial Evaluation: The therapy begins with a comprehensive assessment, where the therapist will observe your child’s posture, pencil grip, and writing style. They also evaluate the child’s fine motor skills, visual motor skills, and sensory processing
2. Personalized Goals: Based on the assessment, the therapist will set specific, achievable goals. These goals can be as simple as improving pencil grip to mastering cursive writing
3. Fun, Play-based Activities: The therapist will use games, puzzles, and sensory materials to improve strength and coordination in your child. Activities can include using Play-Doh to strengthen hand muscles, completing mazes or dot-to-dot puzzles to improve visual tracking, and drawing on a vertical surface to improve shoulder and wrist stability.
The main aim is to make the child feel learning like playing so that the child can build confidence and skills without being overwhelmed.
FAQs
Q: What can be the reason for my child’s messy handwriting?
A: It can be any of the underlying issues, like,
- Fine motor skills
- Visual-motor integration
- Core muscle strength
Q: How does the therapist treat the messy handwriting?
A: Therapists use games, puzzles, and sensory activities to improve Fine motor skills and the strength of your child.
