It is that time of year when we finish off and tidy up. This year Ia has been using the book above for handwriting skills. It teaches joined up writing, focussing on the joins between pairs of letters and building up into joining words. She has used it a little at a time, usually for about 10 minutes before the rest of her English work. She did the last bit today. I have the next book in the series, which she will use next academic year, inshAllah.The book itself is good, it consists of 20 units, each divided up into short exercises, so it is easy to break up. It is a textbook, so the actual writing is done in a handwriting exercise book.
I can't find fault with the book itself, and indeed I recently saw another child's handwriting and just from looking at it I could tell that he had learnt from this series. I asked him and showed him the book. Yes, it was the one he had used in school!
The problem with handwriting is that it is boring. Ia now knows how to join her writing, but she still prefers to print, as she finds it easier and the result looks neater. Ia can write neatly,but if she finds the handwriting exercise boring she won't be as neat as she can. So, although I follow this handwriting course I sometimes wonder how much use it really is. I think I continue because at least then the child has the knowledge of how to join their letters, even if they choose not to implement that knowledge. It could be something they want to do in future.
Good handwriting is an important skill, but the child needs to want to have beautiful writing and I just don't know how any book, no matter how well thought out, can instill that! What is the secret?
So, at the moment I'm happy with correctly formed letters that are easy to read, a sensible size and a knowledge of joining! Alhamdulillah.
6 comments:
As salaam alaikum,
This is the same issue with all things academic and also otherwise. If one isn't interested in learning a skill, they just aren't going to put forth the effort. They will just do the minimum to get by. As the saying goes, "It's like throwing marshmellows at someone and calling it eating.". There isn't much you can do about it and allahu alim. If at some point they feel the need to improve their handwriting, then they will on their own.
Walaykumsalaam,
Yes, I think so.At least this way she will have an idea of how to go about improving when she wants to, inshAllah. She doesn't make a fuss or get upset about handwriting,she just doesn't enjoy it.
I wish my handwriting was neater although I was taught a pretty standard joined up method at school, DH still complains he cant read my shopping lists! Problem is if too many ideas are flowing, the increased speed needed results in the clarity going down.
Same goes for my writing!
As salaam alaikum,
Have you ever heard of short hand? My grandmother used to use it, but I don't remember anything other than that.
Assalamualaykum,
My grandmother was a shorthand typist.
I once devised my own set of note form symbols so that I could write things completely privately. I've forgotton most of it now.
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