Let Children Show Us How to Help Them Write

Abstract

Preliminary findings are presented from a current two-year MIE case study observing the development of primary children’s composing, spelling, and motor behaviors during the writing process. Handwriting is influenced by all phases of the writing process and problems unique to different stages of the writer’s development. Children’s earliest efforts at writing resemble their speech habits in their lack of organization. Later, when children choose their own writing topics, the language for expression, and written format, the compositions become more successful. Handwriting is one component of writing that illustrates the nature of children’s decision making processes. Teachers attempt to guide the children’s craft to greater clarity in drawing letters, word order, word separation, page placement, and later, in rewriting and use of prosodic techniques.