Teaching a Left-Handed Child to Write

[mommybelle]

Does anyone have any tips on teaching a left-handed child to write? I understand that the underside of the forearm and thumb should line up while writing for both left-handed and right-handed children. But, I know that left-handed children can smudge their writing if they hold their hand similar to a right-handed child. So are they supposed to reposition their elbow so their hand is above their writing...if that makes sense?

Any thoughts and tips would be wonderful! Handwriting is definitely my dd's least favorite subject, and I don't think it helps that she's left-handed and I am right-handed.

[raceNzanesmom]

If they raise the left side of the paper it should allow for a more natural (similar to a rightie) angle for writing. Their grip should be similar as well.

[Gwenny]

Same grip and arm position, just tilt paper the opposite way. Don't let them cock their wrist.

[MomtoJGJE]

It also helps to sit opposite them instead of beside them. That way they will copy you and they will do it correctly for how they need to do it.

My two olders are left-handed, don't curl their hand around their writing, and don't smudge their papers.

[mommybelle]

Thanks everyone for your feedback! I don't think I realized until just recently WHY left-handed children write their letters backwards. I wish I had known more about this when she was three or four as old habits are hard to break! Though she is starting to remember which ways the letters and numbers are supposed to go, so that isn't as much of a concern. Though it is when she is writing at her own free will that I can identify those problems.

Handwriting is very laborious for her though. She takes forever to write just a few words or letters for that matter. And I do cap it at the 10-15 minute mark.

I have noticed that she doesn't rest her wrist on the table when she is writing though. I've tried the vertical plane idea which she doesn't like to do, so that is always a big struggle. I had a friend of a friend who was an OT evaluate her and a few of their friends (more or less for fun). The OT mentioned that she wasn't holding her wrist properly. On the other hand, her pencil grasp is excellent. The OT recommended gross motor skills to develop the wrist. Does anyone have any thoughts on this or specific gross motor skill activities to try? I know it is tiring for her not to rest her wrist. The OT did recommend monkey bars, but she gets scared of some things very easily. We've been working on that, but it is a process in itself!

And then how do you change those bad habits of not turning the paper correctly and turning her hand improperly when she's drawing and writing on her own free will? I sit with her during every handwriting lesson, but I hate to correct her ALL the time when she is just drawing for fun.

[my3sons]

HI there! I thought this past thread may have something to help too...
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=7480

In Christ,
Julie

[mommybelle]

Thanks Julie! That thread was also very helpful! And a comment that Carrie had made in it really hit home with me too. She said, "I wouldn't focus on the grip continually though, but rather praise his writing, giving gentle hints to pull in his elbow just a bit toward his side as he writes."

As my husband told me the other day, "Or it could be because she is only 6 years old!" when I mentioned struggling with the handwriting lessons. She is my first, so I tend to be a bit critical sometimes...expecting too much of a 6 year old! And perhaps that is the main struggle when handwriting is scheduled for the day. It is me, not her!

After she got frustrated the other day and said, "I am not good at this!", I pulled out a note I had written to a neighbor when I was just a few months shy of 7 years old and showed it to her to let her know she IS in fact good at handwriting. My neighbor kept it all these years, and asked me if I wanted it back just a few years ago. My handwriting looked horrible compared to my left-handed 6 year old! And, now, I am told often that my handwriting looks like I typed it...not that it is necessarily a good thing.

This thread helped me realize, if anything, I need to back off a little bit! Her handwriting position will improve on its own over time with "gentle hints" as Carrie had recommended.

Thanks again to everyone for the helpful advice!

[raceNzanesmom]

One of the best things I did re: my ds's handwriting was look at other kids' his age and even older. It helped me see how well he was actually writing for his age.