Students sometimes dread handwriting practice. I don’t blame them, because it can be redundant and boring. It also takes a lot of focus for little learners to properly form the letters. Here are five activities I use in my classroom and at home to make handwriting practice more engaging!
5 Handwriting Practice Ideas
- Have children use different art and writing tools to practice handwriting. Students can use smelly markers, colored pencils, paint pens, paint brushes, dry erase markers on various types of writing material. Changing up the materials being used is just a little way that you can improve students engagement in a big way. Students love to try new things!
- Change their position. Instead of having students practice handwriting sitting at a desk with the paper in front of them, have them try something different. Have students lay on their belly with the handwriting paper on a clipboard or other hard surface below it. This improves arm strength and helps students who have difficulty writing lightly. Students can also practice their writing by standing up and writing against a wall or on an easel. You can also tape paper under a table and have students practice writing while laying on their back. This is great, because it helps build fine motor skills.
- Directed Drawing: Directed drawing is fun for all students! Even more importantly, it is a great way for students to practice fine motor skills in a fun and engaging way. These alphabet handwriting worksheets have letter handwriting practice and a directed drawing for each letter of the alphabet.
- A classroom handwriting practice favorite in my classroom is shaving cream writing. Spray a small amount of shaving cream on your students desks and have them practice writing letters or words. A bonus to this is that when completed, the desks will be squeaky clean. 🙂
- Outdoor fun!: There are a couple of ways that students love to practice handwriting while outside because, everything is better outside! One simple way they can practice handwriting is to use a paintbrush dipped in water to write on the side walk. They will be able to see their secret handwriting and watch it disappear. Chalk on blacktop is another fun and easy way to get your students practicing their handwriting.
These tips make handwriting practice fun and help improve their hand strength and pencil grip.
For more tips on how to improve students pencil grip check out Tips for Teaching Proper Pencil Grip.
