Helping beginner and struggling writers write neater!
What are prewriting strokes?
Prewriting strokes or lines are the individual lines that are used to form letters, numbers and shapes. There are certain lines that you want to see your child to form before encouraging them to make letters. Also helping your child form the basic lines will help him or her to form letters more easily. It is just breaking it down to the smallest part. Allowing your child to only have to focus on one task or movement at a time.
To Trace or Not to Trace Prewriting Strokes?
Have you ever thought about what the best way to help your child learn to write?
Do you typically buy the practice books and allow the child to trace the lines?
I used to think that doing the tracing was best. It was easy and it set children up for success. It also made other writing tasks easier if they just traced the letters and prewriting lines.
But You know what???
Brain imaging shows that children who write freehand have increased activity in areas of the brain that supports reading and writing.
Brain scans show that Tracing is not the best way to teach handwriting.
I attended a handwriting training presented by Nora Chahbazi from EBLI. I was able to learn about new research about the brain and learn some simple yet impactful ways to help develop good handwriting.
During her session I learned that there is a “relationship between handwriting, reading, fine motor and visual-motor skills in kindergarten,” she gleaned this from Gloria Jean Clark at Iowa State University. In summary, learning to read and write are highly correlated.
Additionally, Nora discussed how brain imaging activates parts of the brain that are connected to reading and writing. Having this activation, allows for stronger pathways to be built from the beginning.
Here is one thing that shocked me….
Students who traced or typed the letter did not show the same brain activation.
Lastly, handwriting activates working memory. She discussed that students who wrote more by hand were able to remember the concepts more easily. If it was writing sounds by their letter combinations or writing words sound by sound. The act of including writing helped make learning more salient and impactful.
I am so thankful for this new information. It helps me better support my students. And shows the importance of encouraging good proper handwriting. This skill will be another gift we can give our children that will keep on giving.
Ways to give support when child is practicing prewriting strokes.
I always encourage my students to give their best effort and full attention.
Giving your child the proper feedback and support will help him or her progress in learning to form their handwriting strokes more easily. As your child progresses you can give less and less support. Students who seem to have dyslexia tendencies may benefit practicing the prewriting strokes in isolation and then combining the lines to form letters.
- Give hand-over-hand support
- Have the child hold the pencil properly, place your hand on top guiding the direction of the line formation while saying how to form the line.
- Use handwriting squares
- This helps guide the child to write from left to right and not make the lines to big
- Add dots for starting and ending points
- Say you’re making tall lines, put a dot at the top of the box and then at the bottom of the box. Then have child make a tall line
- Adjust the goal to be something that the child can do
- If the child is resisting, then require just one try. Praise the effort. When that becomes easier then give feedback on how they can improve
- For the lines to become automatic, the child needs to have consistent practice of forming the lines properly.
- Continue to include handwriting practice throughout your day and week.
How to teach prewriting strokes:
Set aside 5-15 minutes for a mini handwriting lesson. Plan to have one 4 to 5 times a week. If your child struggles, break the lessons up. Do two short lessons one in the morning and then later in the day.
If your child fatigues in his or her writing, you might want to integrate more fine-motor activities throughout the day.
Prior to starting the lesson decide which handwriting activity you will be doing and which prewriting strokes you will be practicing. Below you find a list of writing practice activities to help make lessons more interesting and fun.
Writing Ideas
- Uno write-Flip over an Uno card. It’s a red 5. And the target prewriting stroke is a rainbow line. So, the child will write the rainbow line 5 times in red.
- Roll the die- Child rolls the die. He or she then writes the targeted line that many times.
- Write with paint and q-tip-student can flip over a prewriting stroke card and write that line using a q-tip dipped in paint.
- Rainbow Write-student selects 6 different colors. He or she then writes the targeted prewriting strokes using each color.
- Find the …. – Cut out 6-8 squares. Write a number on each card. Place an animal or action figure sticker on the back of one of the squares. Then take turns guessing where it is hiding. Between turns child will write the targeted line that many times.
- Tic-tac-toe-each person selects a prewriting stroke. Then play the traditional way but by using the prewriting lines.
All in One Beginner Handwriting Resource
I have created a beginner handwriting resource to help parents easily teach the basic prewriting strokes. In this resource you will have a list of all the prewriting strokes with simple names and commands to help your child form them. You will also find the activity cards that state the materials needed and how to complete each activity. Additionally, you will have different handwriting papers to help differentiate learning for your child. The great thing is that you can print multiple copies and create a handwriting binder to help your child see their progress. And you can also laminate the sheets so you can reuse them multiple times with multiple kids.
Now that you have your plan.
Prepare Your Child for Handwriting Practice
Have your child sit at a table. It is recommended to have a child size table and chair. This allows your child to not strain his or her muscles.
Remind your child to be in the proper handwriting position. Proper handwriting position is to sit up tall, feet on the ground, using alligator grip.
This shows they are ready to write.
Additionally, Tell the children to have full attention and best effort. This helps them remember they are practicing a skill and they are going to have to make choices and be brave. Furthermore, it helps children learn in a natural way that there is a time for work and a time for play.
Introduce and complete the activity
Now is the time to introduce the writing activity. If you are doing the prewriting stroke for the first time you will want to practice using the white board. Then you can transfer that formation into the targeted handwriting activity.
Have fun!
Remember during the lessons give proper feedback.
Create a writing basket/tote for independent practice.
In addition to formal handwriting lessons, it is important to provide opportunities for your child to practice writing and drawing. With time you will see the prewriting strokes being transferred into their drawings.
One way to promote writing/drawing is to provide your child with lots of fun writing materials. For example, you can have a basket with an assortment of papers. Like notebooks, construction paper, little notepads. And a pencil box with pens, pencils, markers, and crayons. This allows the child to have different options and helps promote creativity.
You can encourage your child to draw during quiet time while listening to a book on tape. To draw while on a trip or while waiting at the doctor’s office. Another way is to have your child create a picture and mail it to a family member or friend.
One thing to remember during independent writing time is to only give corrections if they ask. Praise what they did well. Even if it was just that they drew a picture. This helps them not get discouraged.
Summary
Helping your child learn to form the prewriting strokes will them transition easier into forming letters. It is also a good scaffolding for students who need to have neater handwriting and be able to write longer. More parts of the brain are activated when students write without tracing. It also builds other cognitive functioning tasks such as attention and working memory. When learning to write properly, it is recommended that children have small explicit handwriting lessons and are given the opportunity to practice writing. It takes time to develop these skills and children should be challenged at their level. BUT remember to encourage to have your child do some type of writing even if all they can do is scribble.
Let’s keep our handwriting practice simple but intentional. Bookmark this page to reference later. Or head over to my TpT store and purchase your Beginner Handwriting Guide. You can prep once and then have easy access the rest of the time teaching your child to write!!
If you want to be notified when new information is posted, be sure to join the email list. By joining you will be first to know of special offers, new posts & resources, and ways to stay on track in helping your child progress in his or her writing. Let’s take this journey together!
You may enjoy:
Why Fine-Motor Skills are Important