Sequencing Errors When Forming Letters:
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children often learn to begin letters with a bottom-to-top and clockwise approach
before or during kindergarten; letters may also be written in a segmented manner
using multiple strokes to complete the letter
if this pattern continues through first grade it is difficult to change
Strategies to Help Change Sequencing Errors:
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emphasizing the correct starting point (first stroke) for letters in relationship to the
guidelines is extremely important; don’t wait long to teach students letter
alignment with top, middle, and bottom guidelines, especially with lower case
letters, or they will develop habits of incorrect formation that are very hard to
break
it is helpful to specifically teach children to keep their pencil on the paper
throughout the formation of most letters, except for crossing /f/ and /t/, dotting /i/
and /j/, and forming /x/
most students benefit from having paper with a middle guideline for most of their
writing throughout kindergarten and first grade so they can use this line to help
with correct letter formation
First Strokes Handwriting Errors and Remedial Strategies
Modified from information by Jan McCleskey, MA, OTR
The Handwriting Clinic