| Teachers say it time and time again. They | | | | have learned. The phrase "practice makes |
| tell their students to "write clearly," so | | | | perfect" definitely rings true in this |
| that they can read what their child was | | | | situation. Without constant practice, the |
| trying to convey. Often teachers take this | | | | child's handwriting will improve just |
| rule so far as to mark questions wrong on a | | | | slightly, if at all. To help a child practice |
| test or homework assignment that are not | | | | what they have learned in previous sessions |
| legible, or to not give the student credit | | | | or classes, worksheets are strongly |
| for his or her work. It is for this reason, | | | | encouraged. These worksheets can include |
| and many others, that it is important to | | | | anything from words for the child to copy |
| teach children handwriting from an early age. | | | | down on the lines provided for them, to |
| | | | worksheets in which the child has to list the |
| Teaching children handwriting is very | | | | items shown in pictures, and copy them |
| important. Throughout life, people use | | | | several times. Whatever the content is that |
| writing in almost every aspect of their | | | | they contain, practice worksheets are an |
| lives, from writing reminder notes, to | | | | enormously large tool in helping a child |
| homework, writing in a journal, thank you | | | | improve his or her handwriting. |
| notes, and, perhaps most importantly, in | | | | |
| employment. | | | | There are several other games and activities |
| | | | that children and adults can engage in |
| While one would think that schools, primarily | | | | together in order to help the child learn. |
| in the early grades, would teach children | | | | Making lists together, such as grocery lists |
| proper handwriting, this is often not the | | | | or "to do" lists will help the child write |
| case. Often teachers are not trained in this | | | | out words that he or she may have practiced, |
| field, do not give it sufficient time, or are | | | | as well as some new words and phrases. |
| unable to train children properly because of | | | | Learning the words to a favorite song, then |
| large class sizes. Writing is the final | | | | copying them down onto a piece of paper is |
| process of thinking. When given an | | | | also an activity that children will enjoy, |
| assignment, children will think about it, and | | | | for they will feel as if they are not doing |
| then write it down as a final way to | | | | "real work." Games and activities are |
| communicate their answer. If a parent or | | | | important to use when teaching a child |
| teacher cannot interpret what the child | | | | something. Practicing handwriting can get |
| wrote, it can be frustrating for all parties | | | | tedious. To prevent the child from getting |
| involved. Therefore, it is important for | | | | frustrated, small games and activities help |
| parents, as well as teachers, to understand | | | | to prevent anger and frustration. |
| how to teach handwriting to children. | | | | |
| | | | People write things down everyday, in various |
| One of the key factors for learning | | | | environments and in various forms. It is a |
| handwriting is that children have a quiet | | | | large part of our lives, and therefore is |
| place to write. In front of the television or | | | | very important that handwriting be learned |
| in a noisy room with a lot of action is going | | | | from an early age. The tools and pointers |
| to distract the child, and prevent him or her | | | | mentioned above should help your child onto |
| from having a productive writing session. | | | | the path to perfect handwriting! |
| Secondly, children need to practice what they | | | | |