Handwriting Practice and Visual Perceptual Motor Practice

The American Journal of Occupational Therapy published research that compared two different handwriting interventions.  Seventy two first and second grade students either received intensive handwriting practice or visual perceptual motor activities during a handwriting club for 12 weeks.  The post test results indicated the following:

• the intensive handwriting practice group demonstrated significant improvements in handwriting legibility 
• neither group showed significant effects on handwriting speed and visual–motor skills

The researchers concluded that the handwriting club model can be an effective short term intervention for RTI Tier II.

Reference: Tsu-Hsin Howe,Karen Laurie Roston,Ching-Fan Sheu,and Jim Hinojosa. Assessing Handwriting Intervention Effectiveness in Elementary School Students: A Two-Group Controlled Study Am J Occup Ther January 2013 67:19-26; doi:10.5014/ajot.2013.005470