Placing text on a line ( baseline placement) is challenging for some children. Depending on the age of the child and the severity of the problem, I use several strategies to facilitate proper baseline placement. Here are six techniques you can try at home:
1. When children have difficulty writing on the baseline, I call these “popcorn letters.” The image of watching popcorn pop up and come down is an easy concept for young children to grasp. Simply working on “no popcorn letters” often helps children think about the proper placement of their text.
2. Have students use Handwriting Without Tears double-lined paper. It’s available in three sizes depending on the grade level of your child. The simplicity of the double lines helps children place letters on the baseline correctly and the upper line controls the size of the student’s writing. It’s a great way to keep letters uniform and neat!
3. Teach the proper placement of capital letters as well as tall, small, and descending lower case letters by modeling placement on the multiple types of paper they are being asked to write on at home or school.
4. Bring awareness to the type of letter being written by having your child use The Hand Activity to determine what kind of letter is going to be written prior to writing it.
5. Use embossed paper or create raised baselines with a serrated tracing wheel to provide tactile cues for proper letter placement.
6. Have your child evaluate his or her own handwriting and circle the words with the best baseline placement.
About Skills 4 Life:
Skills 4 Life Pediatric Occupational Therapy offers a broad range of pediatric occupational therapy services to help your child master age-appropriate developmental skills, become more independent, increase academic success & develop confidence. The experts at Skills 4 Life specialize in handwriting, keyboarding & executive function coaching, but also work with children on social & emotional learning, motor skills, self-regulation strategies & activities of daily living. Skills 4 Life Pediatric Occupational Therapy offers your child a safe, compassionate environment to learn the critical skills they need to be successful. Learn more about our team & services at www.skills4lifeot.com, or you can contact our office by email at firstname.lastname@example.org or by phone at 303.351.1828 for a free consultation.