As I spend more time on the computer, I am beginning to see the effects of neglect creeping into my handwriting. Good penmanship, or handwriting, is a perishable skill. I find that is easy to get sloppy and lazy over time, if I do not pay attention to developing this skill. Practicing on the proper form is the best way to improve and maintain your skills in penmanship.
There are four steps to maintaining and improving your handwriting.
1. Collect the right materials: I like to use a Grade 2-3 “Learn to Write: Advanced Writing Tablet” that you can find in most stores. These tablets have the special lines to help you focus on the specific shapes of the letters. They also include a diagram of how to draw each letter, if you need a refresher. I also would recommend a “My First Ticonderoga” Pencil. These are the fat round pencils that we all started using in the first grade. I like to use them for practice because they help with form and skill development.
2. Discover the right speed: When you are practicing your handwriting, slow your speed way down. This will help you focus even more of the mechanics of your penmanship. If you practice faster than you can make correct, you are only practicing mistakes.
3. Exercises: Take time to have certain exercises to improve on. I like to practice circles and keeping them in good shape inside the lines. This is simple enough, then I start copying full sentences to get the flow of writing. A good place to find sentences, by the way, is the Bible as it offers an opportunity to reflect as you copy! I also practice by exercising my signature. I have found that my signature is the first to get sloppy, because of how much I use it, so I try to practice this so it looks good when people see it.
4. Practice: All of the above steps will accomplish nothing if you do not practice. You need to take some time and be repetitive, making sure you are improving on the tasks that you have given yourself to do. Be intentional. Handwriting isn’t a passive act, you must think it through every time you write. Be consistent. Follow through the same exercises every time you conduct your practice; you will be able to see your progress. And practice regularly. Your practice must be done on a regular basis so that you can continually improve. We do not write as much as those who can before us, so it is easy to let the skill slip away.
Having good handwriting will bring a lot of joy to you every time you write, but good handwriting doesn’t come without some work. Take some time today to work on your handwriting and watch it improve to where you are proud to send it out to others.
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