The Handwritten Connection
Happy Fall, fellow bloggers! Brrrr...I have finally switched the summer clothes (oh, how I love them!) for the warm, cozy fall and winter ones (oh, how I NEED them!). Actually, to be more accurate, my husband did the switching since our clothes are stored in the attic. There was a time when I could have done this myself; however, the shoulder is healing rather slowly and I cannot get myself in and out of the attic without pain. The healing process has taken a toll on a number of my daily activities. But the one that has me the most irritated is the effect it is having on my handwriting. I have been able (and most of the time, willing) to transfer any household duties over to my husband when they aggravate my shoulder. Ironing is a prime example. No real loss there, right? But seriously, there are some things that another person cannot do for you...and one of those is write for you. Oh, I don't mean simply "writing." I mean putting your thoughts to paper. A case in point: I am an ardent journal writer, faithfully recording my thoughts, experiences and family events each day in a neat, interesting logbook. The entries are mostly for my own eyes; however, it is important for me to complete a chronology of sorts. These past months have found me negligent in my entries. I find it difficult to maintain the appropriate wrist and shoulder position without discomfort. I am very limited in the amount of time I can sustain a grip on my pen and continue to fluently write down my thoughts. So, I shift this way and that, put the pen down and pick it up again and take frequent breaks from the writing altogether...more often than not, never returning to it again. Frustrating.
This experience has proven to have a reinforcing benefit for me as an occupational therapist and as a teacher. Throughout the years, I have seen the sad decline of handwriting skills in our children. Students are struggling with printing and parents are finding that the skill does not hold a key position in their children's academic curriculum. Again and again, I am grateful for the educational system I was groomed in (way back in the 50's) where The Palmer Writing Method was actually not a four-letter word. Allow me to brag a little here, if you will. I am the proud owner of a beautiful handwriting. Actually, I have been complimented on that handwriting. It no longer depicts the purest form of the Palmer Method, as it has taken on a bit of my personality along the way. In fact, I consider one's handwriting to be a presentation of who that person is. Just like clothing can make the person, so can handwriting. I am thrilled when I get a handwritten telephone message and I can clearly decipher the spelling of the caller's name and can understand the message without having to hunt down the message writer! I consider the writer to be thoughtful and considerate. I am really impressed when a person ends their note with a signature and I can successfully read their name. (Pronouncing it may be another issue, however!) But, the ultimate good impression is the handwritten Thank You Note! Oh, yes, that is the top-of-the-line compliment in my book! Remember the days when we actually sent out handwritten holiday cards, thank you notes and get well wishes? Now, please don't get me wrong. I am totally an e-mail and text message person. I'm sure my family can vouch for the volume of messages they get from me! But I digress.
Let me get back on track here...the point is that handwriting continues to be an essential part of our lives. It continues to be necessary to fill out a paper job application form, even after one has completed the on line application. A portion of the SATs require handwritten answers. There are many opportunities in our day to jot a note to someone or to ourselves. And even in this day and age, there continues to be times when writing a check is the only way that money can be transferred from one person to another. I know, hard to believe, but it's true. Hence, I feel that handwriting is a method of communication that we cannot afford to lose. It helps us to connect with others in a very quick, accessible and personal manner.
I can understand why a student who is struggling with handwriting skills would declare, "I won't need to write! I'll just use the computer!" When the mechanics of handwriting prove to be a battle, with each letter posing an opportunity for a fight, there's no doubt why a child would refuse to do his homework, daydream during classroom assignments, or fall behind in school despite his good intentions. Children want to be proud of their work. It means just as much to them, if not more, to have their fine penmanship displayed on the bulletin board or refrigerator. The display of their successes is just another way to connect with their peers, teachers, and parents. "Hey, this is ME! Look at my great work!"
And the beauty is...there are actually some simple ways to help our children with their handwriting. It is easy to model appropriate sitting posture and to provide adequate chairs and desks. The height of a chair can be modified easily by placing a couple of books under the child's feet to provide the necessary foundation for balance and posture. Placing colored tape on the child's desk to provide a "placemat" for the position of her paper will allow her to be more independent with written assignments. Allowing children to use small pencils facilitates their use of an appropriate writing grip. An evaluation by an occupational therapist can provide teachers and parents with helpful, easy ideas that can be implemented with little energy and money.
And what better way is there to connect with a child than to show him or her that we care about their success with handwriting! When the handwriting struggle becomes the handwriting success, your reward will be a beautifully handwritten Thank You Note!
So, until next time,
Stay Connected!
Katherine