Handwriting

Grip, posture, and paper placement are important basic skills that will help students set themselves up for their best handwriting.

Grip:

Having a functional grip for handwriting is important for early writers. Writers should be able to move the pencil easily using their fingers while resting the larger muscles of their arm. This comes with time, but we should support young writers with the placement of their fingers to help them develop.

1. Watch the "Get a Grip!" video to see a proper grip on the pencil.

Video: Get A Grip!: https://youtu.be/K1v4wVaEGqA

2. Look at the Picking Up My Pencil sheet for more pencil grip tips.

Posture:

Writing doesn't just involve the fingers. Appropriate posture helps support the body, arm, elbow, and wrist to allow the fingers to do their job. Feet should be supported on the floor or on a footrest. Knees and hips should be at 90 degrees and the arm should rest comfortably on the desk.

Paper Placement:

The paper should tilt up on the side of the dominant hand. This is especially important for left-handed students who may hook their wrist to complete the left to right handwriting. Proper paper placement can help with wrist positioning.

1. See left-handed paper placement below for more tips on how to set up left-handed students for successful handwriting.