Handwriting-Need Help

[HSMom03]

We recently started Beyond and really like it. My son (7.5 yrs) is having a very difficult time with the handwriting though. I know he is placed correctly but I guess he is just not progressing in that area? It is a lot of work for him to write and he hates it. How do I know if it is something he needs some kind of therapy for or if it is just typical boy behavior? What can I do for him? How should we adjust Beyond (if at all) since the handwriting is really holding us up? I really want to help him so that handwriting is not so difficult. Hoping someone has some insight. Thanks so much!

[StephanieU]

For the copywork, it should only be 5-10 minutes a day. They aren't to copy the whole poem in a day. Some times they won't even finish the poem in the four days it is scheduled to be written. And that is okay.
Other than the copywork, they have writing for spelling each day, and that should be about it. Is he able to form the letters and at least do the spelling? Could you slowly work up to 5 minutes of copying the poem a day?
Also try some other fine motor skills exercises - kneading playdough, beading activities, etc. - to help build his hand strength.

[HSMom03]

Even just 5-10 minutes is too hard for him. He's been taught correct formation but continues to form his letters incorrectly. Many reversals.

[gardenmama28]

Have you tried writing the poem, one line at a time, on grade 1 lined paper, right above where he writes? I wonder if you even just started with one line, and it was right above, if he would have an easier time remembering how to form the letters???? Or if he is really having trouble with a lot of letters, I would do another course in practicing letters, and not attempt the poems until he is comfortable with that. For example, if he has already done A Reason for handwriting K, put him into Book A. If you have already done both of those, try another program like Handwriting Without Tears or something, just so it is new and doesn't feel too repetitive. I have no experience in recognizing learning disabilities so am no help there, but in my mind if he can't remember how to make his letters and is doing tons of reversing, he should practice the basics more and be confident in that, before he tries copying the poems.

I wonder if even trying some more sensory methods would help him - like drawing in cornmeal, or with soap bars on the window, or that type of thing? I know those might seem too 'kiddish' for him but something like that could give him a different way of processing things so he can remember the letters more easily.

[Nealewill]

When I first started Beyond, we started off with the hand writing VERY slowly. I had a similar problem myself with my kids. I actually set a timer for them to do their absolute best for 1 minute when we started. Then I upped it by 30 seconds every 2 weeks. By half way through the year, we were able to easily write the whole poem with no problem. My son moved to Bigger this year and again, it was a bit of an adjustment in the volume of writing. For the first couple of months, I broke up the writing assignments. But he is now to the point where he easily does all of the writing and never complains. The writing assignments have gotten longer as the year has gone on and I am very glad that I did not modify anything for him. It has worked out beautifully!

[bethelmommy]

Have you tried writing the poem, one line at a time, on grade 1 lined paper, right above where he writes? I wonder if you even just started with one line, and it was right above, if he would have an easier time remembering how to form the letters???? Or if he is really having trouble with a lot of letters, I would do another course in practicing letters, and not attempt the poems until he is comfortable with that.

This is what I did with dd. She went through two handwriting books in LHFHG and then started Beyond with 3 lined paper copying one line a day from my example printed on the line above. After awhile she moved to 2 lines and then to 4. She was doing really well by the end of Beyond. Moving to Bigger has been quite a stretch for her and she is still only at half speed because of handwriting.