Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-2017
Abstract
Handwriting is a significant component of literacy development in young children. It is a foundational skill that will influence students’ reading, writing, language use, and critical thinking. A review of the literature finds the following themes of high importance when presenting writing instruction in an early childhood classroom: automaticity of transcription skills through repeated practice, letter writing fluency before compositional fluency, writing as a critical step in overall literacy development, the role of explicit instruction as intervention for writing difficulties, and the lack of proper preservice training or professional development for teachers to integrate appropriate early writing practices into kindergarten classrooms. In this document, best teaching practices for handwriting instruction in kindergarten are offered and recommended as part of a balanced age-appropriate early childhood literacy program.
Recommended Citation
Wittrock, D. (2017). Best practice for developmentally appropriate kindergarten handwriting instruction (Master's thesis, Northwestern College, Orange City, IA). Retrieved from http://nwcommons.nwciowa.edu/education_masters/15/