https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 02 May 2026 01:54:23 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-familiar-with-dysgraphia#post-2914593 Sun, 26 Apr 2020 08:12:25 +0000 MrsADS 2914593@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrssrs that's very reassuring. He's still young, I know, but all of his (younger) classmates can write their names and other things.... and he's a long way from that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-familiar-with-dysgraphia#post-2914592 Sun, 26 Apr 2020 08:09:41 +0000 MrsSRS 2914592@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsADS: another popular one is a little bit of tempera paint in the bathtub/shower for writing or drawing right on the walls with an index finger. It feels a little forbidden to write on a wall which makes it more appealing. And on a personal note, my own DS was behind in writing and drawing and hated to do it. By the end of kindergarten he had beautiful handwriting and was writing fluent sentences for fun. Sometimes they really flip a switch after you slog through enough of it that it gets easier. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-familiar-with-dysgraphia#post-2914577 Sat, 25 Apr 2020 19:23:02 +0000 MrsADS 2914577@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrssrs yes! we are definitely working on all those activities, or as much as he is willing to do (which isn't much). He is so far behind his classmates and it worries me so much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-familiar-with-dysgraphia#post-2914438 Thu, 23 Apr 2020 14:40:46 +0000 ilovepie 2914438@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 5 year old went from basically only writing "0" and " 1 " (not even his name) to pretty nice cursive in one year, so they can catch up quickly. He still doesn't like worksheets or writing, but is much more confident with it now. The turning point for us was when he got far enough that I didn't have to check every stroke but could read to him while he did handwriting work. He had much more patience to sit and work carefully because he wanted to stay and listen. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-familiar-with-dysgraphia#post-2914435 Thu, 23 Apr 2020 14:10:25 +0000 MrsSRS 2914435@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurplePeony: yes! Small, tiny crayons encourage a tripod hold. </p> <p>@MrsADS:<br /> How about starting with a gallon sized Ziploc bag for tracing? Put paint in it, squeeze all true air out, then tape it to a window or glass door at easel height. A few times a day ask your LO to imitate some simple lines or shapes on the paint. Demonstrate using your index finger to press through the paint leaving a blank trail. having the work vertical will help build the stabilizing muscles in the shoulders and encourage core strength. If letters are too hard don't do them. Just do vertical and horizontal lines do some curves encourage scribbles. Variations on smiley faces and emojis are great. The best things you can do for hand strength are Play-Doh or clay-without tools so they're just molding the dough with their hands, and things that use grip strength like monkey bars and climbing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-familiar-with-dysgraphia#post-2914422 Thu, 23 Apr 2020 12:12:07 +0000 PurplePeony 2914422@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>An OT I know recently posted on Facebook that it’s good for kids to write with broken crayons because it actually forces them to use a proper grip. I haven’t tried it yet with DD but I really should because she has a hard time with her grip. I thought it was interesting, though, since I never would have thought a broken crayon was a good thing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-familiar-with-dysgraphia#post-2914418 Thu, 23 Apr 2020 11:23:01 +0000 MrsADS 2914418@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrssrs all of the above! He hates doing it because it's extremely difficult for him. He was in OT 3x/week and about to start PT before corona. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-familiar-with-dysgraphia#post-2914413 Thu, 23 Apr 2020 10:44:00 +0000 MrsSRS 2914413@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsADS: What do you need help with most, do you think? Is it a muscle tone issue, a fine motor issue, motor planning, interest...I can probably drop some more activity ideas here if you can give me a direction </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-familiar-with-dysgraphia#post-2914412 Thu, 23 Apr 2020 10:42:13 +0000 MrsSRS 2914412@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <br /><p><i>This comment has been deleted by the original poster.</i></p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-familiar-with-dysgraphia#post-2914411 Thu, 23 Apr 2020 10:36:44 +0000 newlypregnantlady 2914411@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My MIL "forced" (aka bribed) her sons to do handwriting practice and to this day my husband has some of the nicest handwriting I've ever seen. She bribed with candy and video games. </p> <p>Not about dysgraphia but I've always found that interesting. She just did it because her youngest had the most atrocious handwriting and no one could ever tell what he was writing. They literally just had to copy out sheets of letters and with each sheet they'd get a treat. </p> <p>I wonder if you did something like get her fancy gel pens, etc.. she might be more interested? I know at 7 I was obsessed with diaries and notebooks and pens and stationary. Could she write letters she mails to classmates? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-familiar-with-dysgraphia#post-2914410 Thu, 23 Apr 2020 10:18:13 +0000 Bluemasonjar 2914410@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@charm55: Thank you!!! I really appreciate it. I feel like this could be the missing piece. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-familiar-with-dysgraphia#post-2914409 Thu, 23 Apr 2020 10:07:59 +0000 charm55 2914409@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bluemasonjar: <a href="http://mrsdharris.weebly.com/uploads/2/0/9/4/20946064/letter_and_number_formation.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://mrsdharris.weebly.com/uploads/2/0/9/4/20946064/letter_and_number_formation.pdf</a></p> <p>This is a good one - the ones we use are very similar. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-familiar-with-dysgraphia#post-2914408 Thu, 23 Apr 2020 10:07:11 +0000 Madison43 2914408@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@charm55: I’m 40 and still remember some of the verbal pathways that my early education teachers taught! :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-familiar-with-dysgraphia#post-2914406 Thu, 23 Apr 2020 09:53:56 +0000 Bluemasonjar 2914406@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@charm55: This is really helpful! We are working on writing letters with my 4.5 year old and I try to talk him through the motions. Is there a good resource for the verbal pathways? I don't have access to his Pre-K teacher but would love to incorporate this at home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-familiar-with-dysgraphia#post-2914403 Thu, 23 Apr 2020 09:41:31 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2914403@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>These are amazing tips, thank you all so much! I definitely don't want to do anything that will make writing painful and frustrating for her so I really appreciate the tips to make this fun. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-familiar-with-dysgraphia#post-2914401 Thu, 23 Apr 2020 09:34:35 +0000 MrsADS 2914401@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hmmm, interesting. Following. My 4.5yo has a major fine motor delay and is in OT (or was, before corona) and is making basically zero progress with writing (or pre-writing) skills. He is like, easily a year or more behind the others in his preschool class and I'm so worried about school. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-familiar-with-dysgraphia#post-2914400 Thu, 23 Apr 2020 08:14:13 +0000 charm55 2914400@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsSRS: hahaha yup!!! I was working with a teacher who’s student just flat out refused to write anything for months. We printed out his exact same writing paper on orange cardstock and he wrote novels for the rest of the year 😂 🤷🏼‍♀️</p> <p>Sorry , off-topic, I know ! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-familiar-with-dysgraphia#post-2914399 Thu, 23 Apr 2020 08:06:25 +0000 MrsSRS 2914399@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@charm55: sometimes it's the weird things that help, you know? Kids who hate the cute eraser love a random stick from the yard with a felt ball hot glued badly to the end 🤣 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-familiar-with-dysgraphia#post-2914397 Thu, 23 Apr 2020 08:04:13 +0000 charm55 2914397@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsSRS: yes I agree! It’s so important to let her go everywhere else with just the occasional pathway comment or reminder . Writing can become very tedious with an adult pushing for correct formation all the time.</p> <p>Love the trick about the cotton ball on a stick for wet dry try. Thanks!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-familiar-with-dysgraphia#post-2914394 Thu, 23 Apr 2020 07:51:34 +0000 MrsSRS 2914394@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes to everything @charm55 said! If you want you can have her work through a handwriting book, reminding her that this book is for her slowest and most beautiful work and then leave her alone everywhere else other than maybe the occasional casual comment about the letter pathway. Sit with her for the handwriting book talking through the letter pathway and prompting her to be careful and slow. Our printer will print lined paper. So check and see if yours will. If you want a book I really like this one. Handwriting Without Tears is popular as well.<br /> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Zaner-Bloser-Handwriting-Grade-1/dp/1453117954/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&#038;keywords=zaner+bloser+handwriting+grade+1&#038;qid=1587646042&#038;sprefix=zaner+bloser&#038;sr=8-3" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/Zaner-Bloser-Handwriting-Grade-1/dp/1453117954/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&#038;keywords=zaner+bloser+handwriting+grade+1&#038;qid=1587646042&#038;sprefix=zaner+bloser&#038;sr=8-3</a></p> <p>If you don't want a book and you do want her to practice tracing try writing the letters on a chalk or dry erase board and then handing her a pencil or a stick with a pom pom or a cotton ball glued to the end and letting her use that to trace by erasing. A simplified version of wet-dry-try </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-familiar-with-dysgraphia#post-2914393 Thu, 23 Apr 2020 07:39:42 +0000 charm55 2914393@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Does she have correct letter formation? Having good formation ensures they can have good writing fluency and automaticity as they get older. We use verbal pathways with our students along with some kinaesthetic activities. We teach the easiest letters first and the other letters build upon them. Ie: if you learn formation for c, you can more easily form a,d,g,q,o</p> <p>For example: If I was teaching “g”, I would first model on a whiteboard and say the pathway: </p> <p>“Around like a c, close, down, hook left -g” Now the HB font is not a good example of the “g” that I would teach because it doesn’t match the pathway - but you get the idea. </p> <p>Many schools have a set of verbal pathways that they use so if you can make it consistent between home and school that’s even better. </p> <p>I then ask them to use two fingers and draw it in the air saying the pathway them self. There’s good research to show that air writing builds a strong cognitive connection (ever notice how you look up when you try to remember something?)</p> <p>Next I have the student make the letter with two fingers on the table - again, saying the verbal pathway.</p> <p>Finally I have them write it with a whiteboard marker about 5 times - always saying the pathway. It’s incredible how these verbal pathways stick. </p> <p>We do a letter a day, but once they get the hang of the formation (top to bottom) it generally goes very fast. </p> <p>If formation is good, some other tools we use are:</p> <p>Raised line paper - this is provides both a visual and tactile response to improve handwriting. </p> <p>Spacing tool - use a popsicle stick to help remind to space . Make it fun by adding a pompom, stickers etc. I prefer these to using a finger because it can be taken away once spacing is solid rather than becoming an unnecessary habit. </p> <p>Draw lines - if your child is writing a sentence “I like to play outside” - go ahead and draw 5 lines on the paper for them until they get the hang of spacing independently. You will also want to make sure the length of the line matches the length of the word. </p> <p>Highlighter paper - provides visual feedback as to how high/low letters should go </p> <p>Slant board - allows fingers/wrist to fall in a more natural writing position </p> <p>I am experiencing this with my own 6yo daughter - her letters are OK but her numbers are all backwards. If there is unlined paper she rushes and it’s very messy. Now that we’re both home I finally have time to take some of my own advice and get working on it :wink:</p> <p>ETA : some great (fun) apps are Wet-Dry-Try and Sand Draw. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-familiar-with-dysgraphia#post-2914392 Thu, 23 Apr 2020 07:35:04 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2914392@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsSRS: thanks for this! I definitely don't want to go through evaluations and all that if this is all age appropriate, I honestly just can't tell from reading online what's normal for what age and I'm admittedly doing a lot of comparing with what I see from her peers. I don't believe they've done a formal handwriting curriculum, I've only seen her bring back writing practice worksheets, like write your own story, etc. They do a lot of writing prompts, but nothing that I've seen that I would ID as handwriting curriculum. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-familiar-with-dysgraphia#post-2914391 Thu, 23 Apr 2020 06:42:45 +0000 MrsSRS 2914391@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>By all means, seek early testing and assistance...but that's normal at six. We have to prompt children even older than that to use finger spacing between words. Many schools have stopped formalized teaching of handwriting which, in my opinion, is leading to horrible chaos. Has she worked through an organized handwriting teaching curriculum? If she likes writing her own stories, at 6:00 it is still perfectly reasonable for her to dictate to you. So you could ask her to dictate at least the first part of the story to you while you model appropriate handwriting and then she can finish the story when she's gotten the sort of frantic first rush of words already out onto the page. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-familiar-with-dysgraphia#post-2914390 Thu, 23 Apr 2020 06:10:54 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2914390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wondering if anyone has first hand experience with dysgraphia or knows enough to give me some ideas 'cuz I'm having a hard time finding much online. </p> <p>My kid is wrapping up 1st grade, she'll be 7 in June, and her handwriting is awful. Before schools shut down, I was seeing her bring back worksheets where I couldn't even tell what letters she was writing, much less make out words. When I pushed her a bit, I figured out that she always wants to be the first to finish a task so she rushes and therefore doesn't put any thought into forming her letters. They also only seem to write on blank/unlined paper, so I started lining her pages and working with her to slow down. That makes it better, but even with that, it can be hard to make out what she's writing. Since we've been home, I've been working with her and she really resists writing tasks. She hates tracing letters, and even with writing tasks that she enjoys, like her own stories and penpal letters, she gets very frustrated when I ask her to pace herself. My suspicion is that her mind is moving quickly (very typical for her personality - she has a lot to say all the time) but writing isn't allowing her to keep up with her mind. When I look at dysgraphia signs, she has a lot of them - poor spacing, unless I line things out for her and remind her to put spaces between words, definitely poor spelling (she can spell a lot of sight words but doesn't write them correctly), her letter and number formation is messy. </p> <p>All that said, she is a strong reader and a strong student, and I've asked her teacher about potential AD(H)D issues earlier in the year (kid is very active, interrupts, has a hard time containing herself, lots of signs, and dysgraphia seems to be tied to ADHD and learning disabilities) but her teacher wasn't concerned because she's not disruptive, she's learning well and even ahead of her class, etc. I just recently asked her teacher about the handwriting issue, since I've observed it a lot more on my own now that we've been home, so I'll see what she says but wondering if folks know more about this or am I just expecting too much of a 6 year old? Online I can't seem to find much about when kids are typically diagnosed - do I just need to give her more time to develop? </p> <p>Thanks for any ideas! </p>