Super Easy Binder Slantboards

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!

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