Neurodiverse children often have trouble with handwriting. When you want your children to write and they’re at the point where their writing is untidy, or incomprehensible, perhaps you just want them to write it again.
That can be disheartening.
Writing is about communication, and neat writing is about pride and a desire to excel.
A neurodevelopmental program can help with the underlying issues of handwriting but there are things you can do to support at home.
Ask them to write the label for their work on a small, individual white board, slate or chalk board (something easily erasable).
Then gently and supportively correct any errors.
Once that’s done, give them a large label (such as construction paper) to copy onto. The more attractive the label the better.
Put their final copy up with their work to display.
Take a picture of the whole display including the label. Save the image electronically so that your child can look back at their work and feel that it is valued. This makes it easier to dismantle the display when they make something new. It also means it can be emailed to family members to increase the child’s sense of achievement.
As they get more proficient, ask them to say what it is and who made it. They can then start adding a bit more about it.
Key points:
- Their words, not yours.
- Praise the one correct letter or word and quietly correct the errors without a fuss.
- Keep the display up for at least a day.
- Photograph and archive it before you dismantle it. Look at the old photos from time to time.
