These are all great ways to get your struggling writer practicing and laughing. Remember

Take it from someone who was plagued her whole childhood with atrocious handwriting that there’s more to sloppy handwriting then just a bad habit. Writing is an extremely difficult skill for children to master. It involves a process that requires both mental and physical cooperation to be able to channel one’s thoughts onto paper.

However, some children struggle more than others. Common problems include just a difficulty to write legibly as well as trouble sizing and spacing letters correctly. They often have problems putting capitals in incorrect locations. Sometimes children even have trouble mastering the placement of pen and paper. All of these difficulties can be signs of a greater issue. Some children suffer from a neurological disorder called dysgraphia that often coincides with other learning disabilities.

But, there are plenty of things one can do to help their child/student work on his/her handwriting skills. These methods for learning can even be fun! Handwriting Without Tears offers a whole line of curriculum and handwriting products that are meant to be fun and game oriented ways to practice writing. They offer everything from workbooks and guides,UGG Bailey Button Leopard, to special paper,the body just can’, to great hands-on materials for your learner.

Of course, there are always things you can do yourself both at home and in the classroom. Crafts like lacing macaroni noodles onto yarn or thread is a great exercise to work on the bilateral hand motions needed to learn how to write well. And, with options to dye and decorate noodles it is a fun and creative project.

Allowing your kids to trace shapes in sand or make forms and letters in play dough is another good way to get the fingers ready for holding a pen or pencil correctly. Sand tracing or play dough gives students an opportunity to practice their spelling as well.

Another trick for those struggling with using pencils and pens is to break chalk or crayons into smaller, more manageable pieces. This allows children to practice drawing and writing with their fingertips without having to hold the awkward pencil. You can even let your little ones play with finger puppets to help those fingers get working.

These are all suggestions geared towards the new writer. But, there are things the more seasoned writer who just can’t quite get it down can do to practice as well. One option is to allow your student to practice on a vertical easel or chalkboard. This is good for wrist and finger movement and dry erase markers can be a blast for your little one.

For a two player game, have kids try guessing what letter another child is tracing on their back. This is a fun and social way to get kids to practice their letters.

Also, make sure you invest in lots of fun writing options. Rainbow markers, disappearing ink, and magic colors are all types of writing utensils on the market that may make the task of practicing one’s letters just a little more enjoyable.

These are all great ways to get your struggling writer practicing and laughing. Remember, the key is to have patience and the confidence that with the right amount of practice and application your child can improve on this integral life skill.