Category Archives: Pen/Pencil Hold

Why Cursive Doesn’t Work

Advocates of the cursive that joins all lowercase letters within words say it helps fine motor skills. That’s not what I see in recent media images of children practicing their cursive, some even winners of handwriting contests! Students are hunched … Continue reading

Posted in All ages, Beginners, cursive, Education, Older Students & Adults, Pen/Pencil Hold, Posture | Tagged , , | Leave a comment |
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More Comment than Review of The Missing Ink by Philip Hensher

The book is certain to have an impact on those who fret over the fate of handwriting. I especially appreciated the last chapter regarding our very human reasons for putting pen to paper. As one who has taught an italic … Continue reading

Posted in All ages, Beginners, cursive, Education, News, Older Students & Adults, Pen/Pencil Hold, Physical comfort | Leave a comment |
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The Left-Handed Flop Drop

Some left-handed writers (even a few right-handers) have a hooked wrist when they write. It may simply be caused by the way they were told to position their paper. Left-handers hook so they can see what they are writing. The … Continue reading

Posted in All ages, Directional Movement, Education, left-handers, Pen/Pencil Hold | Leave a comment |
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Hands on Pencils

Recently I have been reading about pen(cil) holds. There are arguments about this or that finger position on the pen, but so far I see nothing about the quality of the hold. I do see photographs and drawings where even … Continue reading

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Handwriting Instruction

Handwriting is a much publicized issue. Rightly so, if we consider the research into the cognitive advantages of learning to write by hand rather than relying on keyboards. I am aware of two companies that appear to be trying to … Continue reading

Posted in All ages, cursive, Directional Movement, Education, News, Older Students & Adults, Pen/Pencil Hold | 2 Comments |
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SIGNIFICANT SCRIBBLES

Scribbling is a key factor in pre-writing. Watch! Watch a child’s completely independent marks for clues as to how the hand moves to create images. Independent means that the child voluntarily picks up anything that will make a mark. Paper … Continue reading

Posted in Beginners, Directional Movement, Education, Pen/Pencil Hold, Rhythmic Movement | 9 Comments |
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News from Iceland

Too many years ago Gunnlaugar S E Briem encouraged the Iceland schools to adopt his italic handwriting program. Fast forward to now. The Ministry of Education in Iceland has formally adopted this fine program.

Posted in All ages, cursive, Directional Movement, Education, News, Pen/Pencil Hold, Rhythmic Movement | Leave a comment |
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National Handwriting Day

Posted in All ages, cursive, Education, News, Pen/Pencil Hold | Leave a comment |
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For You in the Snow Zone

This lesson helps with a child’s hold on writing tools. It requires that you find some tiny beads, such as little crystals to represent snow, and some cotton balls for snowballs. Demonstrate holding a cotton ball in the palm of … Continue reading

Posted in Beginners, Directional Movement, Education, Pen/Pencil Hold, Rhythmic Movement | 1 Comment |
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Please Look

I just had another look myself! http://66.147.242.192/~operinan/index.html Go to “Handwriting Repair.” This relates to what I wrote about cursive in November, and tells about handwriting in such a clear and imaginative way. Briem is a valued mentor to me.

Posted in All ages, cursive, Education, Pen/Pencil Hold | 4 Comments |
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