How to Improve Penmanship

If your handwriting looks a little like chicken scratch, there are some ways to improve your penmanship. It takes a bit of work and unlearning of bad habits. With practice and dedication, you may find that your handwriting is no longer an eyesore, and you'll be getting compliments on your beautiful penmanship!

Instructions

1. Diagnose your major penmanship problems. Many people who are troubled by their cramped, stilted writing are actually finger writers. They draw the letters with their fingers and pick up their hand as it moves across the page.

2. Practice writing a paragraph. The forearm and shoulder should move as you write. If your fingers are doing most of the work, you can re-train your muscles with conscious effort to the task.

3. Notice how you are holding your pen. The most effective way is to hold the pen between the thumb and index finger with the barrel of the pen resting on the middle finger. The other fingers should curl under the hand. Other ways of holding a pen are okay, but may not be as comfortable as this method.

4. Balance the pen lightly in your hand. Ease up if you doesn't feel comfortable or you feel tension.

5. Make sure you are comfortably sitting at a table or flat surface with plenty of room for your arm to move as you write. Pay attention to your posture.

6. Start writing right at the position that you are holding your pen on the paper. With fingers nearly straight, write slightly above and between your thumb and index finger. Don't curl your hand or try to write to the left. Let your arm and shoulder muscles do the work.

7. Move the paper up to the place on the table that first felt comfortable as you continue to write. Try to avoid moving your hand down the page.

Tips & Warnings

• If a child is having trouble with penmanship, try activities to improve fine motor skills, such as pulling weeds, drawing or squeezing a racquetball to increase hand strength. Have the child write down the grocery list or write thank-you notes.