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You are here: Home / Handwriting Help / Super Easy Binder Slantboards

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 to improve their writing legibility.   Slantboards are also used to bring the students’ paper closer to their eyes which promotes greater attention and focus on the paper while minimizing distractions.  They are great tools but can be expensive, so try out these DIY super easy binder slantboards to save money while improving writing and concentration!

Save money on this DIY slantboard while helping your child improve their handwriting legibility. Try this out at school and home.

 

When to Use a Slantboard

Primarily, slantboards are used to change the wrist, hand, or finger position of the child while writing.  Children who write with loose pencil grips or overly hooked (flexed) wrist positions can greatly benefit from using a slantboard because it forces the child’s hand to be in a more extended position, and by having a more extended wrist position, that naturally brings the fingers closer together to form a tighter pencil grasp. Notice the difference in the finger and wrist positioning in the images below.

 

hooked wrist
WITHOUT Slantboard = Less ideal wrist & finger positioning

 

 with slantboard
WITH Slantboard= Better wrist & finger positioning

 

Slantboards are also used for children with poor attention spans or those who are easily susceptible to distractions in the classroom.  It works because the slantboard brings the paper closer to the child’s eyes and therefore, drawing greater attention to the paper and by shortening the time the child’s eyes are away from the paper when copying off of the board or taking notes.

How to Make Your Own Slantboard

Get a 3-ringed 3″ or larger binder and turn it sideways.

Add textured contact paper or dicem under the binder to help stabilize it (optional)

Attach the writing paper with a piece of tape to the top and begin using

slantboard FI

Cost Savings

Average cost of slantboard= $35.00

slantboard

 

Average cost of this DIY binder slantboard= $5.00

binder

Total Savings= $30


Leave me a comment and let me know how this works for your child!

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

Disclaimer

Kids Play Smarter is a blog about general ideas, theories, and concepts related to the field of occupational therapy and the growth and development of all children. The information presented on this blog is not intended to serve as or replace occupational therapy services for your child. The information on this blog is for entertainment, informational, and educational purposes only. This blog is not meant to replace formal professional consultation or evaluation from a qualified clinician. All children need to have the approval of a physician to participate in physical activities, including those described on this blog. In addition, children need to be supervised by a responsible adult at ALL times when completing activities that are illustrated and described on this blog. The author of this blog is NOT responsible or liable for any damage, injury, accident, illness, death, or adverse reaction due to participation in the activities described on the website.

Welcome to Kids Play Smarter

Amy Smith I am an occupational therapist with over 10 years of experience working with children. I created this website to offer parents, teachers, and therapists FREE ideas, strategies, and activities that they can do with their children to improve their fine and gross motor skills, handwriting, academic learning, and regulate their sensory system all while "playing" (just playing smarter)! Read More…

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