ABSTRACT
The foundations of good handwriting have been described as ‘the three P’s’— Posture, Paper-position, and Pencil-grip. These are all easy to check, but may not be so easy to maintain throughout a lesson. As in all aspects of handwriting, good habits should be established as early as possible. Posture To give children the chance to develop good handwriting, they should be seated at a comfortable height, with both feet on the floor, not on the chair spindle. Lefthanded children may feel more in control with a seat that is higher than standard. There should be enough elbow-room, and left-handers should be on the left of right-handers. The non-writing hand should hold the paper steady, and brace the child in an upright position. Children who try to conceal their work from others by creating a barrier with their arms are not giving themselves the best conditions to write well.
