Did you know that January 23rd is National Handwriting Day? In a time when we type more often than we write, it’s easy to think of handwriting as a lost art. However, writing and learning to write longhand is a valuable skill, especially for kids of preschool age. Not only is learning to write an essential life skill, but it also helps children develop skills in other areas.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits preschool age children receive when they learn to write by hand.
Fine Motor Skills
The most commonly cited benefit of teaching children handwriting is the development of fine motor skills. Fine motor skills are the ability to the small muscles in the hands and wrists. Many activities help children refine their fine motor skills, including building with blocks and using scissors, as well as writing. Gripping a pencil or crayon strengthens the muscles in the hands and fingers, and forming specific shapes or letters connects the brain and hands.
Before children begin to learn to write, they develop multiple pre-writing skills. While they play and learn to feed themselves, they establish hand dominance—whether they will be right- or left-handed. They also start to strengthen their pincer grasp, which is the motion that picks up and holds small objects. Learning to use their fingers and thumb individually is also an important pre-writing skill. Preschoolers will strengthen and refine these skills through play.
Reading and Spelling
We start teaching children to read and write around the same time because the two skills are connected. As children learn to write, they engage the part of the brain that also processes language. Visually tracking what they are writing helps children recognize and remember words, improving their ability to recall the words when they come across them again. Recognizing letters and sight words also helps children with spelling as they start to see patterns in the way words sound and how they are spelled.
Combination of Complex Skills
Handwriting develops and changes over time. None of us has exactly the same handwriting as we did when we were in elementary school or even middle school. Handwriting is a complex skill that combines fine motor skills, language, memory, and concentration. As a child’s brain develops, those skills continue to improve, and their handwriting changes to become smoother, more automatic, and more legible. This helps with both written and spoken communication as they continue to master language skills and recall the words to express their ideas.
Preschool Quincy, MA | Wollaston Child Care Center
At Wollaston Child Care Center, our goal is to promote all aspects of your child’s well-being and development. We understand that physical, social, emotional, and cognitive abilities are equally important. To learn more about our programs and what we can do for your preschool age child, contact us at (617) 773-7217.
