Whether you are a student or a professional, in every aspect writing plays a huge role. Even though we live in the digital age, writing is vital in everyone’s life.

However, some kids have imperfect and sloppy handwriting. Am I right? If your kid is one of them, you should work on improving it. How?

Handwriting can be improved in many ways. If you are seeking good guidance, you are in the right place. We have collected some tips and tricks for building better handwriting to save you time.

Just wait. I guess some of your kids are left-handed. Relax. I’m sure you’ll enjoy reading the tips. I’ve included some tips for you as well. Come, let’s read them together.

Tips to improve handwriting for right-handers

1. Properly hold the writing tool

The most critical aspect of improving your handwriting is properly holding the writing tool. Children commonly use crayons and sketch pens. But, when it comes to handwriting, make sure your child uses a quality pen or pencil. Also, make sure your child grips the pencil with his thumb, index, and middle fingers. Modeling this behavior for your child will teach them how to hold the writing tool properly.

2. Relax your grip

Keep a close eye on your child’s handwriting. If you notice a strong imprint on the next page, your youngster writes with more force. Your child’s fingers may cramp as a result of the pressure.

3. Use the right stationery

Before you write, think of choosing the right stationery. Using high-quality stationery can help you improve your handwriting because a decent pencil can aid in the child’s grip and reduce the amount of pressure used. A good eraser can also assist them in quickly correcting errors.

4. Check posture

When you want to improve your handwriting, good posture is essential. So, sit with your back straight, flat, and legs uncrossed. Arms and hands should be relaxed. Shake your hands till you’re comfortable. Then, take a deep breath and start writing.

Note: When writing, many people wrap their arms around the page. However, good handwriting can be aided by sitting up straight and resting your forearm on the table.

5. Check letters lineup

Take a piece of your kid’s handwriting and examine how the heights of the letters are lined up on the paper. In general, messy handwriting will have inconsistent letters in their size. For instance: some letters may go over the bottom or top of the lines.

Hence, if you find any such things in your kids’ writing, point the specific areas out to your kid. Through this, they will notice their mistakes and work on them. Also, point out the letters that appear to be well written. This will give them more confidence in their ability to improve their handwriting.

6. Check the loops

Another example of poor handwriting is the failure to close the rings and loops. This results in unreadable form. For instance, it will be hard for the readers to distinguish between o and a. So, you should point out the open loops in your kids’ writing. It will motivate them to begin closing the critical gaps. If your child discovers close loops, encourage them with positive feedback.

7. Check for dot and cross

If a child or adult fails to place the dots in the i’s and the crosses in the t’s, you should inform them. They will not be discouraged if you point out their errors; they will learn from them.

8. Practice

Letterforms and sizes are critical for good handwriting. Thus, when your child starts writing, please encourage them to practice on a four-line note before moving on to a two-line note. Nothing is possible without practice. Hence, extra writing activities should be included in the four-line and two-line notes.

9. Go Slow

Many people attempt to write too fast. Probably, it might be the primary cause of unreadable handwriting. You don’t have to force yourself to write fast unless you’re taking an examination or forced to rush. Slow down and pay attention to your letter formation and writing structure.

10. Provide a positive & favorable environment

Allow your kids to write in a comfortable seated position where they can freely move their arms and hands. Writing should always be done in a seated position. If your child tries to write while lying down or watching TV, tell them this is not a good writing manner. Also, increase their reading time. Reading books with neatly printed letters will inspire the kids to improve their handwriting.

Tips to improve handwriting for lefties or left-handers

Being left-handed has many ups and downs. For example, if your child is a lefty with lousy handwriting, then try out the following tips to help them improve.

1. Paper placement

Right-handed people frequently hold their paper at an angle (30-35 degrees). On the other hand, left-handed people should raise the page’s left corner. This exercise can help left-handed people write neatly and maintain a proper wrist position.

Even you might have noticed that some left-handed kids slant their paper excessively. They do this to prevent their wrist from hooking. So, allow them to slant their paper unless it affects the neatness.

2. Cross strokes

We usually go from left to right and top to bottom when writing. But, left-handed people may cross letters by moving their hands from right to left. But, some left-handed kids don’t get it. So, put a mark on the left-hand side and remind them where to begin their writing.

3. Pencil grip and posture

Sit up straight and flat on your back to write better. If necessary, adjust the height of your table or chair. The table should be at least as high as your elbows. Now it’s time to get your pencil or pen out and practice writing. Hold the pencil or pen an inch taller than a right-handed person with your left hand.

Furthermore, before you begin writing, place your forearm on the desk. It will assist you in maintaining control over your pencil grip. This paves the way for the left-handers with stronger handwriting.

4. Never force them to use right-hand

Many parents insist that their children use their right hand rather than their left. They may be disappointed and stressed as a result of this. So don’t make your child write with the other hand.

5. Begin with large letters

Start with larger letters when teaching a left-handed person to write. It will enable children to form the habit of not gripping the pen or pencil too tightly or using too much pressure.

6. Encourage

If your kid is a left-hand writer, then some of their teachers at school might probably force them to use the right hand. This may frustrate them at some point. Don’t let them feel bad. It would help if you told them how unique it is to be born left-handed. You should give them the confidence to tell others that they are left-handed.

Once they are confident and familiar with the writing, please provide them with their writing tools.

Wrapping up:

It doesn’t matter if your kid is right-handed or left-handed. If you are concerned that your kid is having difficulty improving their handwriting, use these tips. The tips given in this blog will assist you in guiding your kid towards more neat and legible handwriting without changing their writing style.

Be sure to inspire your kids to improve handwriting without any difficulty.

Make a better writer for the future. Good luck!

Learning online for the first time? Transitioning from traditional education to online learning can be intimidating. But it’s not as complicated as it seems. Follow our tips to make the switch easier!

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, educational institutions forced educators and students to adopt online learning. As a result, educators and students are now using technology to teach and learn.

A shift to digital or online learning is an entirely new experience for most people. Hence, people are still wary of adopting this technology. Due to this, the process of transitioning from traditional to virtual courses has become difficult. Fortunately, there are a few approaches to smooth the process. So, all you need to do is simply follow the instructions.

In order to understand the instructions, let us first know what online learning is and how it differs from traditional education.

What exactly is Online Learning?

Online learning is a kind of learning which is conducted through a variety of digital mediums. It provides knowledge primarily through videos, eBooks, webinars, forums, and discussions instead of physical classes. But, how does it differ from traditional education?

Traditional Education Vs. Online Learning

Traditional education involves classroom lectures, instructors’ face-to-face interactions with students, discussions, etc. Since so many factors are taken into consideration, students have the opportunity to understand their subjects quite easily.

In contrast, online learning is also more effective than traditional education. This is because it provides more freedom. Instructors and students are free to teach and learn from wherever they are. However, there is a minimal face-to-face interaction between the teacher and the student. In addition, it is more scalable, friendly, and cost-effective.

What’s the secret behind this? Students and educators alike gain a lot from online learning. We’ll look at those before we move on to transition tips.

Benefits of Online Learning

• The comfort of learning from your home
• Freedom to learn whatever course you wish
• Offers flexibility and convenience
• Cost-effective
• Improves Virtual communication and interaction skills
• Enhance your career growth
• Collaborate with thousands of students around the globe
• Reduce academic pressure
• Students can build self-discipline and self-confidence in learning
• Avoids dreaded situation when learning

How to shift from traditional to online learning smoothly?

To succeed with online learning, students should know that they must be more responsible. Even though students are responsible for their studies, parents and teachers have an equal share of responsibility. They need to support their child’s efforts and be mindful of their progress. Is there anything you would suggest to support the child when learning online? Here are a few tips and strategies for a smooth transition from conventional to online education. Shall we have a look?

Tips for Smooth Transition from Traditional Education to Online Learning

1. Setup a workspace

Online learning and working from home are quite similar. However, not every place is great to learn or work. As your child’s schoolwork occurs outside the classroom, it is more important for a student to set up a workspace. So, don’t let your kids study in cozy spaces like your couch or bed. Instead, choose a space where they’ll be comfortable watching or listening to lectures, taking notes, and working on their assignments. In addition, ensure that your kids have all your study materials and supplies before the online class begins. By doing this, the children will remain focused while learning online.

2. Find out What type of learner your kid is

Don’t know your child’s learning style? It is never too late to find out. Every child has their own way of learning.

There are many different types of learners, so that you may be unsure of yours. Let us help you figure out which one of these sounds like your little one.

Readers and writers – This type of learner usually takes notes and reads. They focus on reading and writing to enhance their knowledge.

Auditory – Some learn by listening to lectures in class or recording and playing them later.

Visual – Children are far smarter than adults in today’s smart world. Thus, they prefer smart approaches to education. They use visual representations like pictures, images, graphics, and videos to learn or gain data. Even learning smarter helps kids understand some challenging concepts thoroughly.

Kinesthetic – The kinesthetic learning type focuses on the physical activity like touching and experimenting.

Don’t get disappointed if you are not able to find out! Everybody’s processes and needs are different. Talk to your child and figure it out.

3. Stick to the schedule

Self-discipline is key to learning online. You should plan your schedule and stick to it. Choosing a time that suits you is an example. Don’t let anything else interfere with that time.

4. Distance from distractions

At home, there will be more distractions such as social media usage, playing games, television sounds, and more. It is therefore suggested that you refrain from using social media during your online class. You should also avoid watching television while listening to your lecture notes.

5. Make sure to use available resources

Learning online does not mean you are alone in your quest. Several formats for connecting with kids are available at online schools to enhance their learning. So make sure you utilize the tools available to you. For instance, you can ask your teacher or counselor for help whenever you have doubts. You can also communicate with other students by participating in discussions and forums.

6. Time Management

In most cases, kids prefer to play rather than read. Be sure to give yourself ample time for studying. You shouldn’t let a small task take up a lot of your time. Whether you are working on your assignments or studying, balance your schedule as much as possible.

Bottom lines

Every learner experiences a seismic transition from traditional education to online learning. Therefore, the more you treat your online class as a traditional class, the easier the transition will be. You can also refer to these tips if you are feeling overwhelmed. Hopefully, they will help.

Best wishes to you!

“The reason reverse psychology works is because kids do not like to be told what to do”!

Reverse psychology is excellent to control kids with inappropriate conduct. Parenting a child is never easy, especially when dealing with a stubborn one. But, it works wonders because what a child wouldn’t normally do would end up doing the same thing.

Parents must have a thorough understanding of what “reverse psychology” is and how it works to effectively use it as a parenting tool. In this case, less is more. Therefore, parents should use it responsibly and in moderation to get the best out of their children. 

Most parents who have often used it on their older kids try it on their younger ones. But is it right to use reverse psychology on a child, and can it be effective? When to use it and make it work with a child? 

Let us find below:

How reverse psychology works?

It is pretty interesting to think of reverse psychology’s definition and meaning. According to the Cambridge English Dictionary, “It is simply a way of attempting to persuade someone by telling them to do the opposite of what you want them to do.” In a way, you conceal what you want while asking them to do the opposite. For example, you want your child to drink milk, but you know if you ask them, they will refuse. So instead, you tell them that its not tasty and warn them to abstain from drinking. Unfortunately, this strategy triggers their mind, and your child will feel the craving to gulp that glass of milk.

Reverse psychology works in various behaviors and routines, from persuading kids to clean their beds to tricking them into eating healthy foods. The key to making it work is to be persistent. Offering kids to make choices is an ideal way to go about things. This way, they can feel confident to talk and be independent in making decisions. For example, allot them a time for playing and when that time is past, tell them they can only play the next day. Be polite while giving them instructions. Because losing your cool isn’t going to help either one of you.

Reverse psychology works best on toddlers. This is because toddlers are constantly learning new things. Many parents swear by reverse psychology, claiming that it has helped them mould their toddlers well. As a result, the toddlers have made healthier choices. Also, positive reverse psychology on kids works better than negative. Give them a reward at the end of each instruction. So if at all they complete the task, they can feel good about doing it.

When to use reverse psychology?

Reverse psychology can have an impact on your child. Experts believe it can be an effective child-rearing technique if used correctly. Your child will benefit from it entirely, or it could seriously harm their self-esteem. The key is to not push it over the top and keep it minimal with your words. It is not a sure shot way to deal with stubborn kids, but it can often do wonders. But despite that, there is so much debate over whether it should be used on our children or not.

I think a lot of parents use reverse psychology a lot of times. When a particular technique in the past doesn’t work, parents use this technique to make the kids agree. Though it helps parents in many ways, it has a limited life span. Hence, it should only be used sparingly, or it will become apparent and no longer work. Many intelligent kids will view it as manipulation, which isn’t a good thing. Eventually, it poses the risk of turning your child to become manipulative. When you give them one work and reward them for the other, you end up leading your child to not listen to you.

The key is to make it sound fun. Also, using it at the right time can help you and your child grow. For example, you can tell them that they are right! If you don’t want to play, it’s okay. You will grow up to be a solid and extensive player. The thought of becoming strong is appealing enough for them to get on their toes. Using once in a while is okay, but it should be used when the parent is not stressed out or hurrying in any manner. Otherwise, it can be stressful for the kids to hear what the parents have to say when angry. Having a calm and a composed way of getting things done is one of the best ways to go about.

Kids can be a real challenge to parents, especially in years of growing up. Parents could use reverse psychology as a friendly challenge and influence their kid’s decisions. Choosing the right frame of mind is crucial. Also, keep in mind if your toddler is ready to do so. Before you even start this game, think of the positives and the potential negatives into account. Because if misused, it can backfire.

Finding good ways to get them to listen and understand your point of view might help a lot more. Afterall, good parenting and rewarding a child works far better.

Handwriting – The mirror of Knowledge!

Is it difficult to decipher your child’s Handwriting? Unfortunately, you aren’t the only parent who has this issue. Many parents and instructors claim that today’s youngsters and teenagers don’t have the same quality of handwriting that the same age of children had in the previous generations.

There are numerous explanations for this. However, the fundamental cause is that some children used to write too fast. When they try to write fast, their handwriting may look messy and unreadable. So..what’s the best way to deal with it? “Make an effort to write neatly.” But how do you do it?

We doubt you might be wondering how to encourage your child to write neatly with better handwriting. If so, here we have shared a few causes of lousy handwriting. Also, we have listed a few activities and approaches to help youngsters and teens improve their handwriting.

But, before we go any further, it’s essential to understand why handwriting improvement is crucial and what abilities are required to do so.

Why is it essential to improve my handwriting?

In every sphere of life, communication is the key to success. Therefore, when you cannot communicate verbally, your writing should speak for you! But, if your handwriting is not legible, how would you communicate with writing? Hence, it is essential to have good handwriting. Also, there are other benefits that good handwriting offers. Some of them are listed below:

Benefits of improving Handwriting

• Enhance brain-power (studies have proven that concentrating on writing improves memory and brainpower. This is because continuous writing practice will store the data in a kid’s mind)
• Improves Clear and Legible writing (with better handwriting, your data will be accessible for the readers to understand)
• Increase Grade points in academics (improvement in handwriting will not just enhance your brainpower. It enhances your grade points in academics since it is in a readable form for the teachers)
• Develop Fine Motor Skills (Fine motor skill is nothing but improving hand movement and finger strength)
• Enhance Confidence
• Promotes Patience
• Improves personality
• Generates neat writing even when you write faster.
• Provides clarity in thoughts

What are the characteristics of Handwriting?

Whether it is an everyday writing practice or a personal signature, every person has a unique handwriting style. Even identical twins won’t share the same style of handwriting. But, the basic characteristics of handwriting remain the same for all. What are they?

Letter spacing: Some people write with a lot of white space between the letters, whereas others write with a lot of black space. However, the space between characters in a word should be consistent.

Letter separation: Letter spacing isn’t the only factor in beautiful handwriting. Word separation and joins are included. Hence, whenever you write, lift the pen when it is necessary.

Line Quality: Like letter spacing and separation, line quality plays a major role in legible handwriting. The qualities of a great line include fluidity, consistency, thickness, and so forth.

Diacritic placement: The punctuation marks, dot on letters (e.g., i’s), and cross on letters (e.g., t’s) are all examples of diacritic placement.

Line adherence: Some children’s writing soars above or dives below the line. This allows for sloppy handwriting to emerge. Hence, children should be taught to write on a line.

How to improve handwriting?

If you want to enhance your child’s handwriting, figure out whether he or she is right or left-handed. There are options accessible for both left and right-handed people to enhance their writing. So just focus on it.

Hey, hang on. Before that, observe where and how your child is having difficulty. This will help you build better handwriting skills with your child.

Let’s review the most typical handwriting challenges that every writer encounters.

What are Handwriting Difficulties?

Behind every good handwriting, there lie smaller skill sets associated with visual perceptual, sensory-motor, and cognitive domains. So, if a person or writer fails in learning any of these skill sets, they may face handwriting difficulties. Besides, several other elements cause handwriting problems. Some of the most common things are:

• Poor fine motor skills
• Poor coordination of right and left side of brain and body (bilateral integration)
• Poor visual-motor integration (visual perception and eye-hand coordination)
• Poor visual tracking (eye movement)
• Poor postures and muscle tone
• Poor cognitive skills.
• Poor pencil grip
• Slow and effortful writing
• Inconsistent hand dominance

Common Handwriting Problems

1. Letter shapes

Every child struggles to learn the shape of a letter while learning it for the first time. For example, learning English letters takes longer for children. This is because seeing different-sized letters, lowercase letters, and uppercase letters may confuse you.

Note: Lowercase letters are smaller and have more edges and curves. Hence, it may be more difficult for certain children to write.

2. Problem with spacing and joins

As previously said, good handwriting is characterized by space and word connections. However, some children struggle with word spacing and join. This is because certain words are made by combining two words with the help of an apostrophe or a hyphen. As a result, grasping the concept of space might be challenging at first.

3. Positioning of the body

Writers should sit in a comfortable position before starting to write. When writing, body posture is crucial. For instance, the writer’s elbow should be up against the body if the paper is laid straight. However, if the paper is set at an angle, the writer will have entire body movement and mobility, including wrist extension and flexion.

4. Smudged Work

If you are a left-handed person, then you might have this problem. What was it? When you write something, your hand follows the writing line, and it will automatically smudge.

5. Difficulty in holding the writing instrument

Many children hold their pen or pencil with their whole hand. It doesn’t allow them to write perfect shapes. Also, some kids hold their writing tool too close to the tip; it may hide the words when writing. Due to this, their writing either flows above or falls below the line.

Soo…If your child is having trouble with any of these issues, assist them in developing the necessary handwriting abilities. How? Try involving some fun activities to improve handwriting skills. Here are some best activities to observe and assist your child in developing Handwriting abilities. Shall we look at them?

Activities to improve Handwriting skills:

1. Sensory activities

What skill you’ll gain: Visual-Motor Integration – Enables your hands to accurately replicate what your eyes see (eye-hand coordination) Example: Shapes, Letters, and Numbers.

Activities:

• Teach your kids to practice letter shapes and numbers using color paints or sand. You can also write any letter in the sand and assist your child in tracing it over.
• Matching shapes – If you have alphabetical blocks, allow your child to match them.
• Join the dots – draw the letter shapes in dotted format and train your child to join them using pen, pencil, or marker.

2. Puzzle or building block

What skill you’ll gain: Fine Motor Skills – finger movement and dexterity skills. This manipulates and controls the pencil grip.

Activities:

• Building block
• Puzzle
• Cutting paper
• Create fun messages

3. Playdough, clay, or slime

What skill you’ll gain: Hand & Finger Strength helps a kid hold a pen or pencil for a longer period.

Activities:

Kids are usually attracted to playing with dough, clay, and slime. Hence, make use of any materials. With clay or dough, you can make shapes and toys. This will strengthen your hands and fingers.

4. 3D structures

What skill you’ll gain: Visual perception – increases writing abilities by ensuring adequate letter spacing and font size.

Activities:

Play with blocks – some block games include geometric shapes such as cubes, squares, hexagons, pentagons, and other shapes. You can encourage visual vision in your children by playing such block activities.

Closure:

We hope that the information provided above has given you a better understanding of why improving handwriting is essential and what causes sloppy writing. All you need to do is: just grab some tips from an expert and implement them in your kids’ writing!