Make practice fun. Incorporate tools like colored pencils or paper, crayons, no-mess markers and erasers shaped like animals for handwriting homework or practice. And instead of giving your child words to copy, ask her to help you write the grocery shopping list, work a crossword puzzle with you or play Hangman and other word games.
Use invisible ink. Trace numbers or letters on your child’s back and have him guess what you’re writing. A Vanderbilt University study says the lowercase versions of letters j, k, n, q, u, and z account for 48 percent of mistakes made by kids, so focusing on these letters can help your child master these stumbling blocks. Then switch places and let him “write” on your back.
Get creative. If regular pencils are tough for your child to grip, try smaller, shorter ones that are about half the size of a standard No. 2 pencil. Or talk to his teacher about incorporating a pencil grip to make it easier to hold the pencil properly.
See the world as a blank piece of paper. Challenge your child to practice forming letters, numbers or even writing words with ketchup squeezed on French fries, a foggy bathroom mirror after his shower or in bowl of leftover sauce. Whether he’s using a pencil, a stick or his fingers, inspiring your child’s creativity will increase his interest in writing.
Have the best of both worlds. Instead of sending a card, email or text, encourage your child to type a letter to grandma, Santa Claus or a family friend who sent him a birthday gift. Then print the letter and mail it in an envelope your child hand addresses and stamp.
