Visual Perception and Handwriting | Dynamics Therapy Group

Successful handwriting requires the development of visual perceptual skills. Visual Perceptual Skills is what enables a child to look at an object, understand what it is, how it is similar to other objects, how it is different from other objects, if it is upside-down or right-side up, if a part of it is missing, how big it is, how far away it is from them, and how far away it is from other objects in the environment.

Visual Perceptual Skills can be broken up into "sub-skills" such as form constancy (being able to recognise words or letters regardless of their orientation) or position in space (writing on a line/adequate spacing between words).

Directional arrows

To help with direction or starting position
(e.g. for letter formation).

Graph paper

To help with word spacing and sizing (fit one letter or number into each box). Here is a useful website https://incompetech.com/graphpaper/

Darken or highlight writing lines

For younger kids use a sky, grass, mud line guide can be useful. Hand them this and place the "Alphabet strip" (in the next illustration) on their table or on a wall as a reference to copy from.

Alphabet strip

Place on the child's table or on a wall in front, so they can refer to this for correct letter formation.

Highlight the line

To encourage correct line alignment.

Paper copies

Provide the child work that is to be copied on a piece of paper to put on their desk, rather than asking them to copy it from the board.

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Tips

Eliminate clutter
Encourage the child to keep their desk clear of distractions and clutter.

Position desk away from distractions
Sit the child's desk in an area closer to the front to avoid the distractions of other students.

Eliminate visual distractions
Remove as much of the visually stimulating classroom wall decorations as possible, especially near the child's desk.

Keep worksheets clear and simple Keep Worksheet Clear and Simple
Avoid unnecessary decorations (e.g. place only one activity on a page, remove pretty borders on worksheets).

Outline boundaries
Use a red marker to outline the boundaries for colouring, mazes or cutting tasks.

Break visual activities into small steps
When working on puzzles present one piece at a time and cover unneeded pieces of the puzzle.

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Yael Sasson
Occupational Therapist

Yael is an Occupational Therapist with over 20 years of experience. Yael is the founder of Dynamics Therapy Group and holds the role of Group Clinical Director. Yael holds a degree in Occupational Therapy, but also a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Masters degree in Educational Psychology.

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