Learning handwriting should start at the age of 1. It may look too early, but that is when a child should know he is supposed to try writing. Children are curious at this age and want to know and do everything possible. When you ask them to write, they will not avoid it and will try to do their best. Writing can also be made fund for them so that they stay in practice and not get bored. Kids writing can be difficult because they are moody and easily bored. However, most kids are curious, making it easier for parents and teachers to teach them. Some face problems like handling the pencil, staying in lines, reversing letters, etc., but practice improves them.
Parents and teachers should not wait for the kid to grow up to learn to handwrite. At age 1, they should be given a pencil or colors to hold and draw anything, even unconventional lines. There are many ways in which they can teach children writing skills. Try not to make the activity boring; otherwise, the child will run away. Below are the ways in which one can help 1-4 year old’s learn handwriting;
Make Practicing Fun
Give your child different pencils, colors, and crayons to write. Do not just give them letters to write. Fun stuff makes them do the work with interest and attention. They will be willing to start the work when they see interesting pencils, erasers, and colors. Moreover, simple word puzzles, hangmen, anagrams, etc., can also help them in writing. Your job is to make sure writing becomes a playtime for your child. Give them drawings to color, interesting and attractive coloring, letter-writing books, etc. You can find many attractive books designed to catch children’s attention.
Kids’ writing improves as they engage in the activity. As a parent, you should know how to engage your child. Kids start recognizing letters and numbers at 2, and before that, you need to make sure they know how to hold a pencil. A 1-year-old child should be given a pencil or colors to draw lines and make a mess on the paper because the purpose is to hold the pencil only.
Drawing, Coloring, And Puzzle Games
Drawings and coloring attract children at a very early age, even when they cannot recognize letters and numbers. You need to make them work on what attracts them. Play word and puzzle games with them so they know learning and writing can be fun. Buy toys thoughtfully. There are toys for recognizing numbers and letters. It will make their learning stronger. You cannot make anything boring for children as they will lose interest and never do the same thing again. Being strict is not the way to deal with it. Ask them to draw and color, so their pencil holding becomes better.
The Right Tools
It is also necessary to give them the right tools. A 1-2-year-old might not be comfortable with a big pencil; give them a small one. They should not be afraid of making mistakes; give them neat erasers. You should also give them a pencil box, a scale, colors, etc., to make them feel like they have all the necessary stuff. You can find a lot of stuff with cartoon characters. Find them their favorite character stationery. The notebooks they use should have smooth, neat pages that attract and motivate them to write. It also includes puzzles and drawing books. Any attractive tool will make them want to use it. This is how practice can be made fun for kids, and their writing becomes better with time. Do not hesitate to spend on these things because the result will be worth it.
Pinpoint The Problems
You will see a lot of problems in their writing at first. Do not ignore such problems. The most common problems you will see include letter formation, spaces between words, sizing, and line alignment. Focus on how your child is writing. Challenge them and make sure they use two hands to control the paper and writing. Don’t be strict but pinpoint the problems every time, so they know what they are doing wrong and where improvement is needed. A child will be able to recall the correction next time if you point it out multiple times. They might forget for the second and third time, but eventually, they will understand how to do it right.
Writing Outside The Box
Do not limit writing to paper and pen. Tell them they can write anywhere since the purpose is to know how to write letters or numbers. Make them write on a foggy mirror, a plate with ketchup, a patch of mud, etc. Whether your child writes with a pencil or fingers, it will inspire creativity and lend appeal to writing. It will also help in brain development. Limiting writing only when they have pen and paper can limit their creativity and memory. Ask them to write even without the lines. They will take time, but their alignment will improve. The practicing time will increase this way. They will write wherever they get a chance to write, for instance, on mud. The time will be counted as fun time rather than learning time for children.
Conclusion
Kids’ writing can be either fun or a hassle for the child and parent. It is up to you whether you want to make it a fun and entertaining activity or a burden. A child may or may not be interested in writing naturally. However, using the discussed strategies, you can make it interesting for them. Make writing fun for them, ask them to draw, color, and play puzzles, give them the right tools, pinpoint their problems, and ask them to write outside the box. Learning to handwrite is time-consuming, but if you convince your child that it is a fun activity, it will become easier. Anyhow, it should be effective and result oriented. Making writing practice fun for them will make them spend more time writing.
