How The Kids See It

Ever wonder what children with graphomotor dysfunction feel like when they try to write? Try this activity from PBS to try and understand what it might be like for children with graphomotor dysfunction.

CLICK HERE!!!


Does that make you want to do anything different in your class?

Why did the chicken cross the midline...

Why did the chicken cross the midline?
In order to create collaboration between both sides of the brain.


Okay, so maybe not the best joke, and maybe it does sound like a football term, but really, what is the midline.

The midline is that invisible line in the brain that students need to be able to cross in order to create collaboration between both hemispheres. In order for the left and right side to function in harmony the student must be able to cross the midline.

Hand eye coordination is an important prerequisite for writing that we don't often think about, but our students need it in order to write. (Footnote 7)

To view the Google Doc for the source used please visit HERE.

Adaptive Technology: The Writing C.L.A.W

First, I must put out there a quick definition of adaptive technology. Adaptive technology is more than just computers and headsets. Adaptive technology is any tool that helps someone with a difficulty in a certain area. In writing there is a plethora of tools to help children and adults with graphomotor difficulties and other struggles in writing. This regular feature will share different products that can be used in the classroom.

Now onto the C.L.A.W...

The Writing C.L.A.W is not your typical pencil grip. Sure, it's made of squishy material and is soft to the touch. Unlike other grips there is no guessing of where your fingers go. There are three slots for fingers to slide into and easily pinch the appropriate part of the pencil. I have found that most children who struggle with other grips simply let their fingers slide to their comfort zone, but with the Writing C.L.A.W your fingers are not moving anywhere. I have seen it work wonders in the classroom, and while it isn't for every student, I have found that students are happier and more comfortable with the Writing C.L.A.W than any other pencil grip on the market. Try it in your classroom today and see what your students think, you might just be surprised.

Handwriting Website: Amazing Handwriting Worksheet Maker

There are lots of websites that offer handwriting worksheets but I always find it more useful to make my own. The Amazing Handwriting Worksheet Maker let's you choose the font and then plug in what you want students to trace. You can put in student names, months of the year, sight words, or anything else your heart desires. This website is useful for early childhood classrooms.

Past The Tripod Grip: What Get's In the Way Part I

So, as teachers we can preach and teach the tripod grip until our faces are blue and the student holds the pencil the way we want, but it may not be doing the students any good. There are some students who need to grip their pencils in other ways until they build the appropriate skills for the tripod grip. We have to look at why they hold the pencil the way they do instead of just telling the students to change their grip.

When you think about pencil grip upper arm strength isn't the first thing that comes to mind. Yet, upper arm strength and muscle tone can affect a student's ability to hold and manipulate a writing utensil. For these students an extra finger on the pencil is useful for control. In the meantime the child should also be working on building some muscle tone at the play ground. Simple weight exercises can help.

Wiggle your fingers. Move one finger. Now the other. We take for granted our ability to isolate fingers and perform small movements. Not all children can do this. For students who struggle with isolating fine finger movements the tripod grip can be quite difficult. To start these students might hold their pencil closer to the palm and use their wrist to manipulate during writing. For these students hand over hand modeling and practicing fine motor skills is necessary to build proper finger movement skills for the tripod grip.


These are just two barriers to the proper pencil grip. Be on the look out for these in your class and read about more barriers soon (footnote 1).

Sky Writing

Sky writing is a great tool for any early childhood classroom, and an especially powerful tool for students who struggle for form letters. Sky writing is as it says, writing in the sky. By using a finger to create letters in the air students can gain control over some of their motor planning that can later be applied to writing the letters on paper. Watch this quick video to see and example of sky writing. (see footnotes 5 &6).

Breaking Down the OT Mystery

In your classroom there will be a variety of children with graphomotor needs. As the teacher we need to be aware when we should be differentiating in the classroom to meet the child's needs and when we need to look to outside help for support.

The most important source to help in understanding and differentiating for graphomotor needs is an occupational therapist. My school is blessed to have an excellent full time OT (occupational therapist). The OT is mandated to work with certain students, but also serves as a valuable resource for strategies to help with all of my students.

Kranowitz defines occpational therapy as, "a health profession that helps people improve the functioning of their nervous system in order to develop skills leading to independence in personal, social, academic, and vocational pursuits. An occupational therapist is an allied health professional trained in the biological, physical, medical, and behavioral sciences including neurology, anatomy, development, kinesiology, orthopedics, psychiatry, and psychology, "(see footnote 4).


If you aren't sure if a student needs the help of occupational therapy talk to your school's OT and get their opinion. Most of all, if you feel like the student needs services get started immediately on helping the child!

Colored Paper

Ever wonder why students like things with bright colors? A research study focusing on children with ADHD and learning disabilities found that using colored paper for writing improved the students handwriting. The colored paper provides extra stimulation for the students that allows them to focus on their work. (Footnote 3).


This can easily be applied as a tool for differentiation. I simply took my writing paper template from my computer and printed it on colored paper from staples. It is a simple way to provide extra focus for students. With the improvement of handwriting the clarity of writing might improve in other ways for your students. If you are worried about the cost they sell lots of colored paper at dollar stores. Simply ask your school to make copies on your own paper. There are a lot of affordable ways to apply this in your classroom!

Tripod Grip

Watch this video to learn about the tripod pencil grip! (see footnotes 1 and 2).