online hand writing tutoring

Question

My son is in the 5th grade. He has struggled with his handwriting for as long as I can remember. I feel as though this is affecting him a lot with his confidence and even some of the course work as he at times cannot read his own writing (even struggles with writing his numbers in a legible manner). I have tried myself to help him and have even gotten other tutor's (virtually on Wyzant) to help. What I found was that it did not help him overall to be consistent especially when he's trying to work through things fast. I would like to have a better understanding of what I can expect to see as far as how he can meet the goals set to better his handwriting as virtual teaching may put him at a disadvantage.

Answer 1

I understand your concern about your son's handwriting struggles and how it's affecting his confidence and academic performance. This is a common challenge for many children, especially in an age where keyboard skills often take precedence over penmanship.

For a 5th grader with persistent handwriting difficulties, here are some insights and suggestions:

First, it might help to understand potential underlying factors:

1. Fine motor skill development varies widely among children
2. Some children may have dysgraphia, a learning disability specifically related to writing
3. Attention issues can impact handwriting consistency
4. Visual-motor integration skills play a key role in handwriting

Regarding virtual teaching and realistic expectations:

1. Virtual handwriting instruction faces real limitations compared to in-person guidance, where a teacher can physically guide hand movements or immediately correct pencil grip.
2. Consistent improvement will likely require:
3. Short, regular practice sessions (10-15 minutes daily is better than an hour once a week)
4. A multi-sensory approach that engages different learning pathways
5. Clear, achievable goals with measurable progress markers
6. Consider supplementing virtual instruction with:
7. Specialized handwriting programs like Handwriting Without Tears
8. Graph paper or specially lined paper to help with spacing and proportion
9. Pencil grips or slightly thicker pencils for easier control
10. Tracing activities that gradually reduce support
11. An occupational therapy evaluation might be valuable to determine if there are specific underlying issues that need targeted intervention.

What specific aspects of his handwriting cause the most difficulty? Is it letter formation, spacing, sizing, or staying on the line? This information could help tailor a more specific approach.