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In this episode, we’re not going to talk about how to improve letter formation, placement on the line, or size. Instead, we’re going to focus on how to improve the underlying skills required for handwriting, including postural control, strength, dexterity, visual tracking, and more! We also chat about primitive reflexes and give you some specific ideas to help build hand strength!
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What are Preparatory Activities?
Fine Motor Skills Activity Course
Handwriting is a multifaceted skill that requires much more than just grasping a pencil and forming letters on a page. While many parents and educators focus on practicing penmanship, the key to improving handwriting often lies in building foundational skills that go beyond writing itself.
Before starting a handwriting task, engage children in full-body activities such as crawling, jumping jacks, or obstacle courses. These exercises help activate key muscle groups, including the core, shoulder girdle, and hands, while also preparing their minds for focused work.
These movements stimulate both physical readiness and executive functioning skills, laying the groundwork for more effective and successful handwriting practice.
Schedule handwriting activities right after recess or PE for a natural warm-up.
Ocular motor skills, which involve the coordinated movement of the eyes, are essential for tasks like reading and writing. Poor eye control can make it challenging for children to copy from the board or track words across a page.
Balloon volleyball or catch
Visual tracking exercises using a flashlight or favorite toy
Games like "Spot It!" or skeeball with a twist
Rolling a ball to a child for them to catch and track visually
These activities strengthen eye muscles and improve the ability to visually track, which directly impacts handwriting performance.
Primitive reflexes are automatic movements in infancy that typically integrate as a child develops. However, if these reflexes persist, they can interfere with handwriting.
Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR): Affects head and hand coordination.
Palmar Reflex: Impacts grip strength and fine motor skills.
Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR): Influences posture and core stability.
Incorporate exercises that target these reflexes, such as crawling, bilateral coordination activities, or exercises from a reflex integration program.
Strong shoulder, core, and trunk muscles provide the stability needed for precise hand movements. Weight-bearing activities are a fantastic way to build this proximal strength.
Animal walks (e.g., bear or crab walks)
Wheelbarrow races
Rock climbing or hanging from monkey bars
Scooter board activities that involve pulling with a rope
These activities promote the stability children need to develop better fine motor control for handwriting.
In-hand manipulation involves the ability to move objects within one hand, which is critical for controlling a pencil. Developing this skill also improves finger strength and dexterity.
Play-Doh pinching, rolling, and shaping
Squirreling beads or coins into the palm and releasing them one at a time
One-handed paper crumpling and uncrumpling
Pencil push-ups: Slide fingers up and down a pencil to strengthen the grip
These activities build the intricate hand skills that support smooth, controlled handwriting.
Incorporating these activities regularly can significantly enhance handwriting skills without directly practicing handwriting. Whether you’re a parent or an occupational therapist, these strategies help children develop the foundational abilities needed for writing success.
BORING, BUT NECESSARY LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
While we make every effort to share correct information, we are still learning. We will double check all of our facts but realize that medicine is a constantly changing science and art. One doctor / therapist may have a different way of doing things from another. We are simply presenting our views and opinions on how to address common sensory challenges, health related difficulties and what we have found to be beneficial that will be as evidenced based as possible. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or your children. Consult your child’s pediatrician/ therapist for any medical issues that he or she may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Rachel Harrington, Harkla, Jessica Hill, or any guests or contributors to the podcast, as well as any employees, associates, or affiliates of Harkla, be responsible for damages arising from use of the podcast.
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This podcast should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in a legal sense or as a basis for expert witness testimony. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on the podcast.
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