Can you improve handwriting?

Spendless

13 yo son's handwriting is horrible. Really untidy. It looks to me like the scrawlings of a younger child. He doesn't hold his pen correctly, something only noticed when he was in yr 6. He was given the specially shaped pens to use, but they haven't made much if any difference.

He's applied to do a course via his school that he's eligible for but are limited places (an outreach programme in conjunction with a university) and I'm really wondering if the handwriting will count against him. He was getting a bit anxious about this.


Am quite happy to do or buy him anything that will improve his writing.

building_with_lego

My brother's handwriting is dreadful, and his school advised that he use computers wherever possible :rotfl:

(He had been assessed for dyslexia it was that bad. Mine can be a little unruly and our Dad describes his as an ink-laden spider lurching across the page.)

Realistically it's probably a case of your son re-learning how to form the letters and write more neatly.

EDIT: This sort of thing may be worth a look.

balletshoes

how is his printing? is that more legible?

I have to say my handwriting is absolutely appalling these days, because I type all the time, don't write. Sometimes I can't read what I've written its such a scrawl. But I did used to have nice handwriting, so I don't doubt if I got back into the habit I'd get back to having good handwriting again.

I have worked with a couple of people who don't write, but print - small and completely legible.

trolleyrun

Yes, handwriting can be improved - with practice. You can get practice notebooks in a stationary shop, similar to the ones used for calligraphy. You might want to give your son a bigger pen to start with, such as this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Thick-Thin-Fibre-Pens-/180612191648?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PensPencils_WritingEquipment_SM&hash=item2a0d5355a0

This will help him do "proper" shapes etc. You may want to get him to copy you, starting with the basics. My handwriting used to be atrocious, but it's very neat now

There's always the possibility that your son is a doctor in the making

System

I have to say my handwriting is absolutely appalling these days, because I type all the time, don't write.

Same here. If I haven't got my specs on my writing is huge! Ive got no chance filling in a form.

My handwriting starts off neat but after ive written a few lines my hands get pins and needles in them and my writing descends into chaos.

Spendless

trolleyrun wrote: »

There's always the possibility that your son is a doctor in the making

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::T This is actually what he was writing the application form out for (a medical support scheme). Husband said his writing would be an advantage.:D

Seriously though, I've already had one teacher she found it hard to read his writing and we have the same problem when checking his homework planner and I'm concerned about him for future exams, so would rather tackle it now.

Printing is certainly something to consider, I'd not thought of. 10yo DD who has a lot neater writing doesn't join all her letters and isn't allowed to move onto a fountain pen due to this, not that she cares cos she says the pen 'squeak' hurts her ears, which is an entirely diff thread, but she manages just fine this way.

FatVonD

My DS's handwriting was unreadable to the point that he had permission to use a laptop for his exams. He's really stubborn and hates to be singled out or being seen as 'different' and overnight his handwriting became beautiful and legible (I had to check he didn't have someone else's work because I didn't believe it was his!)

It turns out he was just lazy which makes sense as I could never understand how he would spend hours drawing little stick figures (designing his own imaginary stick figure games which are essentially lines and circles) but couldn't write legibly when writing is also all lines and circles.

trolleyrun

Here's the type of book I was thinking of:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/learning-notebook-complete-writing-inside/dp/B0042FB4XG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1379452825&sr=8-1&keywords=handwriting+practice+notebook

Most stationers have similar ones for very cheap. Your local £ shop might even have some. Alternatively, you can use the "graph paper", the types of notepads with tiny squares on the pages. You just bold the lines yourself, if that makes sense

marisco_2

The only way for your son to improve his handwriting, is to go back to basics and practice forming his letters properly for cursive writing. With a little practice he could come on greatly in no time.

julie03

my husbands and my two boys writing is awful, my middle one who has hypermobility and dysphraxia went on a handwriting course but to write neatly takes him forever and he cant keep to that standard as it hurts him to much

andygb

marisco wrote: »

The only way for your son to improve his handwriting, is to go back to basics and practice forming his letters properly for cursive writing. With a little practice he could come on greatly in no time.

Obviously, being a bit older, we had to fill out a whole page of lined notebook in primary school (8 - 9 years), with continuous "joined up" handwriting - one letter to one page ( a page full of a for instance).
Practice makes perfect, and when I left school, I was always asked to write cards at work, and cheques for important clients.
People tend to think that you only need to train for sports, but in life you have to train for everything to improve.