How to Make Handwriting Practice Fun

Published: May 3, 2019
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Fun and easy handwriting practice for kindergarten and first grade. Develop fine motor skills and provide handwriting support with Firesara Pencil Grips.

Handwriting Practice

Handwriting practice… yes, we know those words quite well. Daily handwriting instruction is so important in kindergarten and even into first grade. We teach those sweeties the correct path of motion AND how to hold a pencil the correct way. Oh boy… that is difficult! Holding a pencil correctly isn’t exactly a natural skill. Now, some students pick it up quite nicely, but there are always a few that need support. Incorrect pencil grip can be caused by a variety of things. Anywhere from weak finger muscles to lack of coordination, or even learning incorrectly from peers. So, what can we do to support handwriting practice and make it a little more exciting?

Pencil Grips

I was asked by Firesara to review their pencil grips. So we tried them out in a kindergarten classroom. I have to say, these pencil grips were a hit! The kids loved the bright colors and different designs. We practiced our handwriting with my Make it Neat unit. Through instruction, students can learn the correct path of motion. We had fun practicing our letters with some cool pencil grips. Firesara has a large variety and each style can support different needs.

Importance of a Proper Writing Grip

An incorrect writing grip can lead to poor fine motor development. It can also cause fatigue, discomfort, and trouble writing neatly. “But, my hand is so tired”. We all have those students who act as if the world is coming to an end when we ask them to keep practicing. Using these pencil grips could just be the ticket to building that stamina!

Even if you hold a pencil correctly, there can still be handwriting fatigue. This can lead to finger bumps from writing. Adding a pencil grip is a great way to alleviate that pain.

Handwriting Fluency

After handwriting instruction, add some excitement with “Minute to Win It”. Students see how many letters they can write in one minute. Their letters must be neatly written and formed correctly. Neat student handwriting is truly a dream of most teachers. Well, when students learn to hold the pencil correctly and form their letters properly, neat handwriting shows it’s sweet face!