Printing

Oh parents, I'm so thankful that you have taken a moment to click on this tab! As you might have already guessed, this printing is referring to your child's handwriting, not the ability to print documents :O)  

Over the past 10 years first grade teachers have seen a significant  and steady decline in our students' ability to grip a pencil, cut with scissors, and form letters correctly.  Why is this? you may ask.  Well, I have my own theories, but I also have a little research to back my theories up.  I'll start with directionality.  Directionality is the direction in which we read a book; top to bottom, left to right.  It's also the way we should print our letters top to bottom, left to right.  When students learn to print letters top to bottom they are able to easily transition to cursive writing in third grade (Yes, we still teach that skill despite what you may have heard on tv!).  Additionally, it makes their printing neater!  

Students are now expected to print letters and words at a much younger age and they are not always developmentally ready for this skill.  On average, young toddlers and children are spending hours each day using electronics (movies, video games, YouTube, texting, etc.) instead of using crayons, pencils, paintbrushes and making things with their hands.   Although there are some great benefits to technology, we have noticed that as electronics use increases there has been a simultaneous decrease in fine motor skills that allow students to firmly grip a pencil or crayon, use scissors, tie their shoes, button buttons, snap snaps and many other daily activities.  

The good news:  The good news is that with support from school AND home, your child can and will begin to print correctly and legibly!

The bad news:  Many children are now taught to basically draw (as opposed to print) their letters as early as the age of 2.  This means that by the time your child gets to first grade, they have already formed a bad habit for several years.  This takes a great deal of support and effort from school AND home to correct.  

Pencil Grip by Age:

Helpful Links for Printing Letters Correctly:

 https://www.handwritingworksheets.com/

https://www.superteacherworksheets.com/printing.html

Practice alphabet sheet with directions.  Click to enlarge and print:

Writing Development Progression from http://www.heidisongs.com/Free_Downloads/assets/Stages_Of_Childs_Writing.pdf.  Notice the "finger spaces" between words, punctuation after a complete thought, and the improvement in the formation of each letter:

First Grade Writing Paper.  In first grade this lined paper is great to use as a guide for students to use to help them form both their lowercase and uppercase letters the correct height.  You can find this writing paper at Target, Walmart, or print free samples from online.