Looking for a solid homeschool handwriting curriculum? Also, look at my page The Dynamics of How to Homeschool Easily and Smarter for more tips!
There are lots of choices of handwriting curriculum.
And I want to help you navigate them all whether you are looking for writers who are just starting out or a child who struggles with dyslexia or dysgraphia.
One more important thing before you read on is for you to understand the difference between teaching handwriting and composition.
They are overlapping skills, but not in the beginning.
The focus with young writers is penmanship prior to composing thoughts.
I have rounded up 8 solid handwriting curriculum.
Look at the list and decide which one works the best for your child’s learning style, interests, and abilities.
Handwriting is an important foundational skill.
It has been proven that the brain engages differently when something is written by hand as opposed to typing it or by touching a screen.
Writing improves memory and teaches the alphabet faster as the learner interacts with each letter in various ways.
Too, it helps to slow down and engage with our thoughts, and handwritten letters are so personal and special!
Besides the handwriting curriculum there are different techniques you can do with your learner to practice while always keeping it fresh and fun.
7 Tips and Recommendations for Homeschool Handwriting
Of course, I am going to share these ideas with you as well.
1. Do not mistake teaching handwriting for composition.
As I mentioned earlier, budding writers need to know how to form letters before you introduce composing thoughts.
If a child has not spent enough time doing handwriting where letter writing comes naturally, they will struggle with both motor skills and the mental process of composition.
2. Before you ever begin teaching handwriting, spend a lot of time in pre-writing activities.
These activities build fine motor skills and help children learn to recognize and form letters.
This can be writing in a salt tray, forming letters with playdough, painting with cotton swabs or drawing with their fingers in shaving cream.
3. Repetition is key to success.
I think the most important part of learning handwriting is repetition.
It is a muscle that must be exercised regularly to make it strong.
Daily practice is important, but you can introduce different tools to make it fun.
For very young, beginning writers draw the letters on handwriting paper with a highlighter and let them trace over it in pencil.
4. Use different writing surfaces to bring learning to life.
Use different surfaces other than paper- chalkboard, dry erase, or an LED board, these are just so fun and different that it makes it exciting.
For pre-writing, when your child is almost ready to write or just beginning, consider using technology like the Wet Dry Try app from Handwriting Without Tears.
5. Technology has a place.
It is designed for kids to repetitively practice writing on a tablet with their finger or a stylus to teach how to form letters.
6. Copywork is another successful teaching method.
Modeling for a child has always been a superior method of teaching.
Copywork is simply what is implies. Teaching a child to copy write what he sees.
A child must pay attention to the details of capital letters and punctuation.
In addition, a child reads and writes well-formed sentences because copywork resources should be superior writings.
For example, use nature books, scripture, history resources and poetry.
Further, copywork is a great resource for handwriting as it is a way to encourage repetition.
But also it works in other subjects, teaches punctuation, and develops spelling skills.
7. Match to your child’s learning style.
Finally you want to move on to a good solid homeschool handwriting curriculum that matches their learning style and meets any challenges they may have.
CURSIVE HANDWRITING TIPS
- Teaching Cursive Handwriting Matters Style Doesn’t And Free Resources
- Cursive and Free Greece Copywork Poetry
- The Best Homeschool Handwriting Curriculum: Tips And Recommendations
- Which One is Really the Best Homeschool Writing Curriculum (a comparison)
Homeschool Handwriting Curriculum Tips!
Keep reading for a list of 8 handwriting curriculum and the benefits of each.
- Which One is Really the Best Homeschool Writing Curriculum (a comparison)
- 5 Creative Ways to Boost Handwriting in Older Kids
- Cursive Matters; Handwriting Style Doesn’t + Free Resources
- Teaching Handwriting When Homeschooling the Early Years Part 1
- Teaching Handwriting When Homeschooling the Early Years Part 2
- Teaching Handwriting When Homeschooling the Early Years Part 3
- Faith-Neutral Homeschool Grammar and Writing Program
- 3 Ways to Choose the BEST Writing Curriculum (for a Growing Homeschool Family)
- Why It Is Hard to Teach Homeschooled Kids Writing But Not Impossible
- Homeschool Writing Program For Middle and High School Students
- A Reason for Handwriting Workbook & Teacher Guidebook Level K
Finally, look at these recommendations.
8 Handwriting Curriculum Options for Homeschooled Kids
The 8 Best Homeschool Handwriting Curriculum.
Handwriting Without Tears - Has been a mainstay of the homeschool community for years and there is good reason. It is ideal for multisensory learning because it engages visual, audio, and kinesthetic learners. The very hands-on tools begin to build vocabulary, fine motor, and alphabet knowledge prior to writing letters.
The aesthetic of these books is just so appealing but more than that it builds on itself going from letters to words to copywork of phrases and is available in either print or D'nealian. To keep it interesting while still practicing it includes mazes, games, races, and puppets.
Teaches 2 to 3 letters at a time and goes in order of the most used letters to short words and sentences as it advances. This is level one, but the program runs from Pre K prewriting to level 7.
This particular volume is copywork using the words and quotes of the Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe but there is a wonderful selection of other literature to choose from as well, including print and cursive.
Many kids, especially those with learning challenges find it easier to begin with cursive rather than print.
This set includes Alphabet,Addition Subtraction,Multiplication Division,Number 1-100, Drawing) + 2 Pens + 2 Pen Holding Aids + 10 refills and instill muscle memory, neatness, and the ink fades within 30 minutes to they can practice all over again.
Not only is this site free but you can create your own printable worksheets with any letter or words you like in several different fonts. If you don't mind spending a little more time putting everything together this is a great option.
A drawing and handwriting course for kids that is challenging, motivating, and fun! This book contains a collection of beginning drawing lessons and text for practicing handwriting based on the philosophy of author Marie Hablitzel. An elementary teacher for more than 30 years, Marie believed that drawing and handwriting require many of the same skills, and intertwined her daily drawing and handwriting lessons with math, science, social studies, geography, reading and creative writing. This series separates these lessons into common themes in eight instructive books that can be used in any order. Books are colorful and non-consumable, with an accompanying workbook to record the student s work. Children will improve their drawing skills, refine their handwriting clarity, and enjoy learning in the process
