Handwriting is like the top of the iceberg; it is the skill that is visible and often noticed in the

school setting. However, underneath the surface there are many components that go into
handwriting, such as: postural control, motor integration, an efficient visual system, and
symbolic thinking. In order for handwriting to be effortless, all of these components must be
well integrated. Handwriting is not only connected to academic performance, but it is a great
form of expression and communication throughout life.

By strengthening the following component pieces of handwriting, a students’ entire

development is boosted, which will support learning and success at school. Handwriting
components addressed:

Postural control: create a stable base by strengthening core muscles. Having a stable and
aligned trunk provides the foundation for limb and head control during gross and fine motor
tasks 

Visual system: looking beyond visual acuity to how the small muscles of the eyes are able to
work together in a coordinated way (ocular-motor control). Moving our eyes across the paper
or from the paper to the whiteboard without effort is key to reducing ocular-motor fatigue,
which allows for increased attention

Reflex integration: everyone is born with an innate motor repertoire (reflexes) which helps us
adapting to the environment as babies develop new motor skills. As a child grows reflexes
become integrated and motor responses become intentional. When reflex integration doesn’t
happen naturally in development, this impacts motor systems ability to work efficiently.

Fine motor skills: In addition to strengthening the foundation (postural control, visual system,
reflex integration) we will introduce fine motor activities that increase hand strength, left vs.
right awareness, and in hand manipulation skills necessary for writing.

Warm-Up Activities

Before sitting down for homework tasks involving writing, try one of the three types of
activities. Vary the choices to make it more motivating and fun.

1. Chair or desk push-ups (do 10)

2. Shoulder warm-up activity (do the activity for about 30 seconds)
a. Crocodile Movement/Snaps
b. Air Traffic Controller
3. Finger warm-up activity (Choose two and do each one for about 30 seconds)
a. Put on imaginery gloves
b. Finger push-ups
c. Piano fingers
d. Pencil twirls
 e. Inchworm

1. Chair and Desk Push-ups

Chair Push-Ups: Begin this by sitting straight in your chair and gripping the sides of the chair,
thumbs facing towards the fingers and pressing against the underside of the chair. Using the
arm muscles, push up from the bottom of the chair. The feet should be up slightly from the
floor.

Desk Push-Ups: Start with your hands flat on the top of the desk with the tips of the thumbs
and index finger facing each other to create a triangle. Bend your elbows to bring your nose
towards the triangle in your fingers, then push up with the arms to straighten your arms.

2. Shoulder warm-up activities

Shoulder warm up activities prepare the arms for writing and may help to release tension in the
neck and shoulder.

Shrug your shoulders up and down and then front to back. To describe this to your child you
can tell them to lift their shoulders to touch their ears and then push them back down. For front
to back it will feel like you are trying to push your scapula together in the back, much like a
shoulder bench press when working out.

Crocodile Movement/Snaps

Raise your arms in the air with one above the other. Then snap your hands together like a
crocodile snapping its jaw. Take turns having the left and right arm above each other for this
activity.

Air Traffic Controller

Start with your elbows bent and your hands in a fist in front of each shoulder. Then straighten
your elbows, moving one arm out from the body and the other arm to the side of your body.
Alternate arms back and forth.

You can also use this to practice crossing midline by crossing the hands and arms while doing
the movement.
 3. Finger warm-up activities

Now that the shoulders and neck are loosened and ready for writing, let’s move on to the hand
and fingers!

Put On Imaginary Gloves

Pull on your “gloves” by applying firm pressure to the fingers and back of the each hand. This
provides proprioceptive and tactile feedback and prepares the muscles for movement.

Finger Push-Ups

Place the tips of your fingers together and straighten the fingers while pushing the finger tips
against each other.

Piano Fingers

Drum your fingers on the table or desk as if playing the piano. Make sure each finger touches
the desk. You can also work on fast vs. slow movements with this. “How slowly can you play the
piano?” “How fast can you play the piano?” “Can you use both hands together to play the
piano?” (works on bilateral coordination skills).

Pencil Twirls

Get your pencils out and start to twirl them in the air like a baton, spinning them both
horizontally and vertically in the air. This combines some shoulder and finger exercises
together.

Inchworm

Make sure your child is holding the pencil with an appropriate grasp like the tripod or
quadruped grasp. Move your fingers along the pencil from tip to tip, starting at the bottom and
working towards the top. Then back down to the bottom of the pencil. Make sure you are only
using your writing hand for this one, do not help out with the opposite hand.