Learning to hold a writing utensil and draw can be a big step in your child’s early learning. It’s the beginning of learning to write, a skill that will be used for the rest of your child’s life. Here we will take a look at the progression of pre-handwriting skills and at what age you can expect to see each skill.

1. Growing Interest
2. Vertical Lines
3. Horizontal Lines
4. Circles
5. Crosses
6. Shapes and Letters

14 Months: Growing Interest

At about 14 months, your child should begin to show interest in picking up a writing utensil (a crayon, marker, etc) and using it to scribble. Thicker markers may be easier to grasp, however, I’ve also observed a lot of 14-month-olds first showing interest in writing utensils when they see their parent using a pen! Eventually, these scribbles may turn into more defined circular strokes (big, sweeping strokes that resemble a circle but do not have a clear point of closure).

23-24 Months: Vertical Lines

The first line children typically learn how to draw is a vertical line starting at the top of the paper and finishing with a downward stroke. This is typically around 23-24 months. I will first demonstrate this line and say, “Zoom!” as an added sound effect when I draw the line to pique the child’s interest.

27-28 Months: Horizontal Lines

The second line children learn to imitate is a horizontal line, starting on the left side of the paper and continuing across to the right side. The orientation of this line helps prepare children for reading and writing left to right. Imitating this line typically occurs around 27-28 months of age. The sound effect I’ve come up with for this line is “Broom!” to pique the child’s interest as well as give the verbal cue that we are drawing a line that is different from a vertical line that sounds like “Zoom!”

33-34 Months: Circles

Right around the time, your child is learning to draw horizontal strokes is also when they will start to be able to imitate more defined circles. For example, if your child watches you draw a circle with a clear starting point at the top and a clear ending point at the top, your child may be able to closely approximate this. At age 33-34 months, your child will be able to copy a circle. For example, if you show your child a picture of a circle, they will be able to draw it.

39-40 Months: Crosses

This is a big step in pre-handwriting, as most of the letters in our alphabet consist of two or more lines put together.

Next, your child will be ready to learn how to put two lines together to make a “+.” This is a big step in pre-handwriting, as most of the letters in our alphabet consist of two or more lines put together. When a child is just beginning to be able to put two lines together, I will sometimes put a dot at the top of the vertical line and a dot at the beginning of the horizontal line–I’ll even have the child put stickers on the dots! This can help give them a basis for the orientation of each line and a clear starting point. At age 39-40 months, your child will be able to copy a “+” from a picture placed in front of them.

40+ Months: Shapes and Letters

After your child learns these pre-writing strokes, it’s on to simple shapes like squares and triangles, and then letters! If you think your child may be having difficulty with these pre-writing strokes, an occupational therapist can evaluate your child for delays in visual-motor skills and help give your child the boost they need to be successful.

The post At What Age Should My Child be Imitating Simple Lines and Shapes? A Look at Pre-handwriting Progression appeared first on All About Therapy, PLLC.

Usually between 2 – 3 years old, children become aware of letters and may try to write them. Parents should not try to pressure children this age into practicing, but can support their child by providing ample opportunities to color and draw. Encourage your child to try both the left and right hands. After the third birthday, parents may help their child with a proper pencil grasp. If your child has sensory processing issues or has trouble learning how to hold his fingers, try this handy tip using an old sock. (click the link to read the article)

If your older preschooler isn’t showing a lot of interest in writing, it’s time to try some games. Check out this mom’s blog for some brilliant ideas to make things more interesting!

Being able to write by hand requires a tremendous amount of fine motor skills as well as strong connections between the brain and the hands. Also needed is the ability to sit and focus for at least a few minutes at a time. For many of our children with special needs, these skills and abilities need to be developed with the help of an Occupational Therapist.

If you know your child struggles with handwriting, I encourage you seek an evaluation from an Occupational Therapist. An O.T. is trained to determine exactly which skills need attention. Often, a handwriting system, such as Handwriting Without Tears, can be used during therapy sessions and also sent home with the child and his parents.

There are many inexpensive tools that can help a child who is struggling with proper pencil grasp. Some are specially sized or designed writing instruments, and others are pencil grips for use with standard pencils and pens. Ask your child’s therapist which ones would work best for his needs.

Another fun and inexpensive tool to help your child develop precision and strength with his writing hand is to use large, over sized plastic tweezers and some small objects. These can usually be found at a homeschool or educational supply store. Make a game out of seeing who can use the tweezers to pick up the most items and transfer them to a cup.

If your child is school-aged, and especially if he has an IEP, I recommend the school O.T. evaluate any handwriting concerns. For children who are not able to learn to write well, assistive technology is available. One of my children, a 7^th grader, has a school-issued assistive device to use in class and bring home for homework. His IEP specifies exactly how and when he is allowed to use it. For him, this has been a tremendous help!

Feel free to contact us at All About Therapy if you would like an in-home evaluation for your child. Call us at: 919-448-6018.

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