Handwriting: A Crucial Learning Tool

DAYTON, OH (WDTN) - Handwriting class for kids at Our Lady of the Rosary in Dayton may be the most important lesson they have every week. Occupational Therapist Missy Kuck sees all kinds of handwriting issues in children. "Kids that make their letters different everytime. They may start at a different spot everytime, at the top, then at the bottom. They form the letters differently everytime and reversals."

According to Kuck, handwriting affects a student's ability to read and express themselves. It's crucial to a child's success in school and life.

Once a week an occupational therapist from Dayton Children's Medical Center helps kids in kindergarten through eighth grades work on their handwriting skills. "Things like using a chalk board, letter pieces, using big motor movements and other type of activities instead of just pen and paper activities because a lot of kids have a hard time or don't like writing with pen and paper." said Kuck

Teachers say the program Handwriting without Tears is paying off. "We have been able to do so much more in the classroom because we've been able to incorporate those activities. I have seen wonderful leaps and bounds in their writing. They're taking their time. They're focusing on how to hold their pencil properly. said teacher Amanda Frommeyer

For signs of handwriting problems and ways to help your child, just head to the web links section at the bottom of this page.