Handwriting and the importance of fine motor control

In todays blog I feel called to expand our understanding of handwriting, in a Paediatric space and a few of the skills required to execute successful and legible handwriting. Occupational therapists see many children that require support in this area, but where do they start when there is SO much to consider? As an educator and parent there are loads of things we can learn about and try with our children to support the work of an OT or Speechie. Here are a few points you might like to consider:

Core strength for development of handwriting? Yep! The sooner we can help our kids develop postural stability the easier it will be for them to sit upright and have the strength and confidence to move their arms to and from their centre or base, using their core strength.

Bilateral co-ordination is using both sides of their brain, left and right at the same time. This is important for independence in many acts of daily living! (think 'making a coffee') As children, many table top activities including gluing, cutting, erasing and writing all require a helper- hand to hold the paper while the dominant hand completes the task.

Working memory is an executive function which holds the image in their mind to support letter formation when they put pencil to paper.

Visual perception skills in formative years apply to learning the difference between similarly presented letters such as a, b, d, p, q then in more advanced learning when students are required to read from the board.

Crossing the midline engages the entire brain as it uses both hemispheres. Once this skill has been integrated, use of the dominant hand can support bilateral coordination.

Hand eye coordination or visual motor skills are non-negotiable in order to organise the cognitive and physical loads of handwriting. As this skill suggests it is the practise of coordinating the hands to meet the visual presentation of information.

Then last but not least, and perhaps the very bread and butter of occupational therapy, fine motor skills. Mostly responsible for functional pencil control, pencil grasp, hand and finger strength, letter formation, same hand manipulation, the list is extensive. I would like to spend a bit of time here because I feel there is a lot of value in above-average fine motor skills, AND this skill can be learnt, practised and consolidated anywhere! Home, car, bath, daycare, outdoors, dinner table, play room, park equipment, beach, you get the idea. Fine motor skills refer to the actions of the small muscles in the fingers, hands and wrists to manipulate and move objects. These preliminary actions were defined in 1980 by Eric Houghton and include reach, touch, point, place, grasp and release. These skills are practised from birth, to the age of 8 when children begin to transfer the skills involved in motor control to other areas. You can see in this image below my daughter exploring the early stages of fine motor control, learning through dot work and playing with pressure, spatiality and dexterity.

Here are some games I have used in sessions with clients, and also with my own children to create playful fun in building fine motor skills:

• https://www.amazon.com.au/Dinosaur-Electric-Building-Construction Educational/dp/B0951MCXS5/ref=asc_df_B0951MCXS5

• https://www.amazon.com.au/Ambassador-Games-GPF2107-Unicorn-Dress-Up/dp/B09KM5MZYZ

Further to this, there are lots of things you will find at home that you can turn into a fine motor game or activity. Pending age children can explore the function of a peg, lids and their containers, blocks, stickers, playdoh, pipecleaners, bubblewrap, zips, holepunch, and tongs.

As a side note and something that fascinates me, research has linked fine motor skills to early reading abilities and generally speaking, superior reading in children. Studies have shown that good ole` letter formation templates build stronger visual motor representations, and with repetition boost working memory functions. As does physical movement, when learning the ABC. Notable, more prolific activity in the brain have been observed which suggests to me these are good strategies to consolidate fine motor mastery.

If you have a child over the age of 5 and you have concerns of Dyslexia or Dysgraphia, the Dyslexia Speld Foundation in South Perth are a highly regarded research based institution offering support in this area. They also have a range of free resources available for download dsf.net.au/resources/downloadable-resources.

During my travels I have come across and lovely Occupational Therapist, her role is early diagnosis, and supporting families using the early childhood early intervention funding through the NDIS. Kahli works with children ages 2-5 years, and their families. While she does not provide ongoing therapy Kali can provide online assessment, reports and recommendations. Reach out to thegumtreeot@gmail.com. She can also be found on Perth Kids Hub.

That is all from me today. Happy handwriting, friends, until next time!

My son drew this when he was 5. Gives me Picasso vibes :)

• Suggate, S. P., Karle, V. L., Kipfelsberger, T., & Stoeger, H. (2023). The effect of fine motor skills, handwriting, and typing on reading development. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 232, 105674.