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You are here: Home / Archives for Handwriting Help

Teaching Handwriting to Kids Video

August 27, 2017 by Amy Smith

How to Teach Handwriting to Kids video screenshot

Do you have a child or student who is learning how to write? Do you want to help them with handwriting but not sure how? Here's my hint, don't start with a pencil and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Handwriting Help Tagged With: handwriting, Teaching handwriting

Help your Child Love School

January 7, 2017 by Amy Smith

Learn tips on how to help your child love going to school. Find out how to make learning fun and ease the anxiety of making new friends.

Kids Play Smarter is happy to introduce Tracey Clayton, a guest blogger and a mother of 3, so she knows quite a bit about kids and school. Here's her tips on helping your child love … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Handwriting Help Tagged With: learning activities, preschool, school

How to Teach Handwriting To Kids

December 29, 2016 by Amy Smith

Learn how to teach handwriting to kids so they can learn tips for writing legibly.

Unfortunately, many schools have eliminated teaching one of the most critical elements of education: handwriting.  Although children are expected to write legibly, many have never been … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Handwriting Help Tagged With: handwriting, kids, school

Teaching Kids Pencil Grasp

November 30, 2016 by Amy Smith

Teach your kids how to hold a pencil properly with these simple tips that make writing easier for your kids!

Pencil grasps can be a difficult concept for kids to master.  Pencil grasps require hand strength, motor planning and coordination, plus a little instruction along the way.  Give your … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities, Handwriting Help Tagged With: handwriting skills, learning activities, pencil grasp

Money Saving Therapy Swaps

September 13, 2016 by Amy Smith

Save money when purchasing pediatric therapy equipment with these tips from an occupational therapist!

There are several sensory tools or "tricks of the trade" that therapists often use to help kids succeed in the classroom and at home, including things like increasing attention span and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Handwriting Help, Sensory Regulation, Therapist's Tips Tagged With: academic activities, Saving money, sensory regulation activities

Help! My Child Can’t Sit Still!

August 27, 2016 by Amy Smith

Do you have children or students who are constantly fidgeting in their seats at school or at home? The child knows that he should be sitting still, but chances are, there's something … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Handwriting Help, Sensory Regulation, Therapist's Tips Tagged With: attention difficulties, behavior problems, seating, sensory activities

Academic Benefits of Playgrounds

August 11, 2016 by Amy Smith

Playgrounds offer academic benefits like improving handwriting and classroom performance.

We all know that playgrounds are amazing places for children to run around, get exercise, and play with their friends. But, did you know that when kids play on a playground, they are … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gross Motor Activities, Handwriting Help Tagged With: academic activities, learning activities, playgrounds

5 Hacks for Happier Homework

July 19, 2016 by Amy Smith

Is homework a dreaded deed each night at your home for both you and your child? Do you feel like you are constantly nagging at your child to "sit down and get to work"? If so, you are … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Handwriting Help, Sensory Regulation Tagged With: academic activities, homework help, school activities

Sloppy Handwriting? Check Your Posture!

May 10, 2016 by Amy Smith

Handwriting is complex process with lots of different variables that can impact how it looks. When a parent is looking for clues as to why a child's handwriting may be sloppy, one of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Handwriting Help, Therapist's Tips Tagged With: child's behavior, handwriting, school success, seating posture

Fill Up Your Word Cup

May 5, 2016 by Amy Smith

Improve your child's reading and letter recognition and fine motor skills with this eye dropper game

Kids adore playing with water, especially colored water.  So, why not incorporate learning into something fun so that the kids will be motivated to play longer (translation to parents= … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities, Handwriting Help Tagged With: fine motor activities, pincer grasp, preschool, water activities

X-Ray Man for Excellent Writing

April 11, 2016 by Amy Smith

DIY craft that teaches kids handwriting, letters, shapes, colors, and numbers by using a baby wipes box as an X-Ray Man.

Want to sneak in some handwriting practice in a fun, child-friendly way? Play this X-Ray Man for excellent writing game! This game is simple to make and can be easily adapted to fit any … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities, Handwriting Help Tagged With: handwriting, learning activities, preschool

Why You Should Break Crayons (On Purpose)

April 5, 2016 by Amy Smith

Learn how to improve kid's pencil grasp through this simple tip about broken crayons. Try out this easy idea.

Have you ever heard your child say, "I'm not using that crayon, its broken!"? Maybe you agreed with the child and thought to yourself that it would be best to de-clutter the crayon box … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Handwriting Help, Therapist's Tips Tagged With: fine motor activities, handwriting, pencil grasp, pincer grasp

Super Easy Binder Slantboards

April 2, 2016 by Amy Smith

Slantboards are excellent tools that teachers or occupational therapists often use in schools to help children's hands and wrists to get into a better position for writing which helps … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Handwriting Help, Therapist's Tips Tagged With: handwriting help, school, weak hands, wrist positioning, writing tools

Improve Word Spacing Issues

March 21, 2016 by Amy Smith

Do you ever see your child's paper come home from school with all of the letters smashed together like one gigantic, run on word? Or are the letters and words stretched out really far … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Handwriting Help, Therapist's Tips Tagged With: fine motor activities, handwriting, visual motor skills, Visual perceptual skills

DIY Easy To Open Clothespins

March 9, 2016 by Amy Smith

Children and adults with weak hands or fine motor skills will benefit from using these easy to open, modified clothespins for things like crafts to laundry. Find out how to make them here!

Clothespins are great for so many more reasons than just hanging up clothes! They can be turned into fun tools that help children develop hand strength, especially in developing their … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities, Handwriting Help, Therapist's Tips Tagged With: fine motor skills, pincer grasp, special needs modifications, weak hands

How to Keep Writing on the Lines

March 7, 2016 by Amy Smith

Learn how to write in the lines without practicing more pencil-paper writing with these fun, hands-on methods designed to keep kids' attention and interest.

If you have noticed that your child's handwriting doesn't stay in the lines, then this article is a must read for you.  As an occupational therapist, I am frequently asked to evaluate … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities, Handwriting Help, Therapist's Tips Tagged With: fine motor skills, handwriting skills, keeping letters on the lines

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