Handwriting is Good for the Brain
- It generates more ideas more quickly because it “activate brain regions involved with thought, language, and short-term memory”.
- Writing increases brain activity
- Good handwriting scores higher results
More: How handwriting trains the brain
Pre-Writing
Prior to beginning writing, it is important for young children to develop their fine motor skills. Activities that are useful in this period are those that train the pincer grasp.
- Bead Mazes are great for developing hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
- Play Dough helps to develop fine motor skills and strengthen the fingers.
Writing Tools
Early writing tools for young children should have a large diameter and/or a triangular shape to make it easy for little hands with poorer manual dexterity to hold them. For example:
- Side Walk Chalk – fat, writing instruments with a short barrel make it easier for little hands to grip and control.
- Triangular Pencils – triangular ergonomic shape promotes proper pencil grip.
Books
Kumon books are great for practicing writing skills. Colouring, maze and tracing books develop pencil skills for writing. Letter and number books teach children how to write.
- Kumon: My First Book Of Tracing
- Kumon: My Book of Easy Mazes
- Kumon: My Book of Coloring
- Kumon: My Book Of Numbers 1-30
- Kumon: My First Book Of Uppercase Letters
- Kumon: My First Book of Lowercase Letters
More Resources
- Articles on Teaching Children to Write
- Brilliant Minds Montessori Reading and Writing Kit – developed by Dr. Meredith McCurdy for her students at Brilliant Minds Montessori in Sanford, FL. Dr. McCurdy is a Certified Montessori Teacher and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Syracuse University, a Master’s Degree in Child Development and Education from the University of London, England, and a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of London, England. Dr. McCurdy is licensed and certified by the State of Florida in Child Care Center Management. Dr. McCurdy’s research into the cognitive-developmental processes of the preschool years has been published in The Journal of Child Study.
- Recommended Writing App for the iPhone/iPad for teaching children to write letters and numbers
- Free Handwriting Worksheets – Free Printables
- Free Worksheets – Preschool Learners
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