Brain Research Shows Links Between Handwriting and Literacy
Handwriting helps develop the brain for literacy, according to critical evidence compiled in our white paper, Handwriting in Early Childhood: A Strategy for School Success.
- Writing by hand engages the brain in learning and especially activates the reading circuits of the brain.
- Higher handwriting quality correlates with greater density of brain cells—a signal of higher ability and skills—in the area of the brain responsible for phonological decoding.
- Improving fine motor skills and handwriting readiness in preschool children may be a key to improving academic skills in the long term.
Developing Effective Partnerships Between Classroom Teachers and Occupational Therapists
Students often get referred to occupational therapy because they have illegible handwriting. Read our research-based take on how teachers and therapists can work together to help each student thrive. Plus, the article includes a checklist that teachers can use to help determine when to consult an occupational therapist for handwriting-related remediation.