Pre-Writing & Handwriting
Pre-writing skills are the fundamental skills children need to develop before they are able to write. These skills contribute to the child’s ability to hold and use a pencil, and the ability to draw, write, copy, and color.
A major component of pre-writing skills are the pre-writing shapes. These are the pencil strokes that most letters, numbers, and early drawings are composed of. They are typically mastered in sequential order, and to an age-specific level. These strokes include the following strokes: |, —, O, +, /, square, \, X, and Δ.
Pre-writing skills are essential for the child to be able to develop the ability to hold and move a pencil fluently and effectively and therefore produce legible writing. When these skills are underdeveloped it can lead to frustration and resistance due to the child not being able to produce legible writing or to ‘keep up’ in class due to fatigue. This can then result in poor self-esteem and academic performance.
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Hand and finger strength: An ability to exert force against resistance using the hands and fingers that allows the necessary muscle power for controlled movement of the pencil.
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Crossing midline: The ability to cross the imaginary line running from a person’s nose to the pelvis that divides the body into left and right sides.
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Pencil grasp: The efficiency of how the pencil is held, allowing age-appropriate pencil movement generation.
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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.
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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).
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Upper body strength: The strength and stability provided by the shoulder to allow controlled hand movement for good pencil control.
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Object manipulation: The ability to skilfully manipulate tools (including holding and moving pencils and scissors) and controlled use of everyday tools (such as a toothbrush, hairbrush, and cutlery).
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Visual perception: The brain’s ability to interpret and make sense of visual images seen by the eyes, such as letters and numbers.
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Hand dominance: The consistent use of one (usually the same) hand for task performance, which allows refined skills to develop.
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Hand division: Using just 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.
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