Handwriting Skills

What are the building blocks necessary to develop handwriting readiness ?

· Hand and finger strength: Strength to hold and move a pencil in all directions

· Crossing the mid-line: The ability to cross the imaginary line running from a person’s nose to pelvis that divides the body into left and right sides.

· Pencil grasp: using a 3-4 fingered grasp

· Hand eye coordination: The ability to process information received from the eyes to control, guide and direct the hands in the performance of a task such as handwriting.

· Bilateral integration: Using two hands together with one hand leading (e.g. holding and moving the pencil with the dominant hand while the other hand helps by holding the writing paper).

· Upper body strength: The strength and stability provided by the shoulder to allow controlled hand movement for good pencil control.

· Object manipulation: The ability to skillfully manipulate tools (including holding and moving pencils and scissors) and controlled use of everyday tools (such as a toothbrush, hairbrush, cutlery).

· Visual perception: The brain’s ability to interpret and make sense of visual images seen by the eyes, such as letters and numbers.

· Hand dominance: The consistent use of one (usually the same) hand for task performance, which allows refined skills to develop.

· Hand separation: Using the thumb, index and middle finger for manipulation, leaving the fourth and little finger tucked into the palm stabilizing the other fingers but not participating.