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Help Desk: Edged pen writing for lefties

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You have taken the first best step by purchasing a left-handed nib set, which has a nib angle that slopes to the left (rather than the right) as viewed from the face of the pen. Alternately, you can use a neutral edged nib, which does not slope.

At https://handwritingsuccess.com/videos-gdic/ the author Inga Dubay has a video example of how you might consider using the broad edge pen (see screenshot). Note that the paper is at 90 degrees and the writing is done with the hand moving toward you. The advantages of this method is that the wrist can maintain a relaxed position, and that you can see what you have written without smudging the wet ink you’ve just laid down.

Even though the author is using a neutral (not angled) fiber-tip pen in this case, the rational is the same: broad edged pens like to be pulled, but not pushed. 

Using an edged pen can be a challenge at first for any writer. The two important aspects are

  • maintaining contact of the nib to the paper along the entire nib edge, and
  • maintaining the appropriate pen-edge angle with respect to the baseline (usually 45 degrees for lowercase and 15 degrees for capitals).

Regarding the first item above, as you draw warm up lines with the pen, you can experiment with rocking the pen back and forth gently and minutely to get a feel for how it is contacting the paper. Then, as you write, move slowly enough so that you can feel this contact throughout the stoke. Your eye will also provide feedback as you watch the line thickness and edges. You will also want to make sure that your hand is not directly over your writing, but rather that the pen slopes away from your hand as it would if you are using a monoline tool (see image).

Having said all this, you are doing the right thing by experimenting patiently. If there is one constant for left-handed writers, it is that they all eventually find what works for them.

Help Desk: What flavor “pizza”?

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You may be asking about the use of the lowercase letter ‘z’ in cursive italic handwriting, specifically what are appropriate joins into and out of the letter ‘z’ as in the word ‘lazy’.

As you can see from the examples on the webpage about cursive italic handwriting, the authors’ example joins out of ‘z’ but not into it. 

The ease and legibility of italic handwriting comes from the fact that the print and cursive modes use the same letterforms. So, for example, the letter ‘z’ does not change from print to cursive, unlike other styles of cursive writing (see chart below for letter ‘Z’ from our Style Comparison resource).

The authors Getty and Dubay recommend no joins into ‘f’, or ‘z’ and no joins out of ‘g’, ‘j’ and ‘y’. This is because if you do, legibility will suffer — the extra lines will likely make it hard to read and/or awkward looking. See the example of ‘pizza’ below written in looped cursive, italic and italic with joins into ‘z’. We feel that line two (with the green check mark) is the most legible.

These recommendations not to join are standard practice for many variations of italic handwriting, and come from the 500-year history of the italic style.  

However, it is your handwriting, so you are welcome to join wherever you wish — just remember to be extra careful with these joins, if you do make them. Also, these joins probably won’t make your handwriting faster. Research tells us* that students write faster when they pick up the pen sometimes instead of always connecting letters.

*Graham, S., Weintraub, N., & Berninger, V. W. (1998). The Relationship Between Handwriting Style and Speed and Legibility. The Journal of Educational Research, 91(5), 290–297. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220679809597556.

Font credit: Looped cursive example Learning Curve font; Italic examples with Getty-Dubay Joined font.

Handwriting Success Hailed as One of the Best Educational Apps for Kids

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After a thorough review by Research.com, the Handwriting Success™ App has been included in their prestigious list of the 10 Best Educational Apps for Kids in 2024. Research.com is a leading online platform that provides users with research-backed reviews and comparisons across various products and services.

In today’s digital world, capturing children’s attention and keeping them engaged with traditional learning methods can be challenging. Handwriting Success tackles this issue head-on by transforming handwriting practice into a fun and interactive experience.

This award-winning app leverages the power of tablets and styluses to make learning captivating, all while adhering to the well-established Getty-Dubay® handwriting curriculum trusted by educators and parents worldwide. This makes the app one of the best educational apps for kids.

Beyond Worksheets: A Dynamic Learning Environment

Handwriting Success goes far beyond static worksheets that quickly become dull and repetitive. The app transforms your tablet into a dynamic learning environment, fostering a sense of play and experimentation. Imagine students using a stylus to trace letterforms, experiment with pen width and opacity, and digitally erase mistakes.

This interactive approach engages learning and allows children to practice without wasting paper. They can even explore different writing styles, from basic printing and cursive writing to elegant calligraphy, opening doors to creative expression.

A Personalized Path to Success

Handwriting Success isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. It recognizes that children learn at different paces and have individual preferences. The app caters to personalized learning through a variety of features:

  • Multiple Learning Paths: The app offers a variety of learning paths tailored to age and ability. Younger children can begin with basic letter formation, while older students can progress to mastering cursive or calligraphy. This ensures children are challenged appropriately, neither feeling overwhelmed nor bored.
  • Kinesthetic and Visual Learning: The app caters to visual and kinesthetic learners. Visual learners benefit from clear animations and demonstrations that break down complex writing strokes into manageable steps. Kinesthetic learners can actively participate by tracing letters and practicing writing strokes on the screen, solidifying their understanding through physical engagement.
  • Customizable Settings: Pen width, opacity, and background colors can be adjusted to suit individual preferences and comfort levels. This allows children to personalize their learning experience and feel a sense of ownership over their progress.

For example, a child who struggles with visual clutter might benefit from a more straightforward background color. In contrast, another child might enjoy experimenting with different pen widths to find what feels best for them.

Building a Strong Foundation in Handwriting

The Handwriting Success™ App goes beyond simply teaching letter formation. It focuses on developing a strong foundation in proper handwriting habits to benefit children throughout their academic journey. The app incorporates features like:

  • Posture Pointers: The app subtly reminds children to maintain good writing posture. This helps prevent fatigue, promotes healthy writing habits, and reduces the risk of developing musculoskeletal problems later in life.
  • Grip Guidance: The app subtly guides children on how to hold the stylus correctly, ensuring a comfortable and efficient grip. A proper grip allows for better control over the writing instrument, leading to improved legibility and reduced hand strain.
  • Real-time Feedback: Optional visual cues can be enabled to provide feedback during practice. These cues can help children identify areas for improvement and adjust their writing techniques accordingly. For instance, the app might highlight areas where pressure must be adjusted or letterforms are not entirely formed correctly.

Keeping the Spark Alive: Motivation Through Fun

Learning to write should be a fun and rewarding experience. Handwriting Success incorporates several features to keep children motivated and engaged:

  • Creative Expression: As children progress, they can use their newly acquired skills for creative expression. The app allows them to write stories, create personalized messages, or even design calligraphy artwork. This allows children to see the practical applications of their handwriting skills and fosters a sense of pride in their accomplishments.
  • Progress Tracking: Children can see their progress over time, which can be a powerful motivator. The app tracks completed lessons, mastered skills, and earned points, providing a sense of accomplishment and encouraging them to continue learning. Seeing their progress visualized can be a great confidence booster and can help children set new goals for themselves.

A Family-Friendly Resource: Learning Together

Handwriting Success isn’t just for kids. The app also includes the WRITE NOW ebook, designed for adults and professionals who want to improve handwriting. This makes it a versatile tool that can be used by the whole family.

Parents can use the app with their children, creating a fun and engaging learning experience. Imagine parents and children practicing letterforms side-by-side, offering encouragement and celebrating each other’s successes. This shared experience can foster a love of learning and create lasting memories.

More Than Just an App: A Comprehensive Learning System

The Handwriting Success app is just one component of a comprehensive handwriting learning system. The developers also offer a wealth of handwriting and calligraphy training tools, including:

  • Printable Worksheets: Printable worksheets can supplement the app and provide additional practice opportunities. These worksheets can be beneficial for reinforcing specific skills or catering to different learning styles.
  • Expert Tips and Guidance: Parents and educators can access articles and videos featuring tips and advice from handwriting experts. These resources can provide valuable insights into proper handwriting techniques, strategies for supporting children’s learning, and troubleshooting common challenges.
  • Online Resources: A Special Content web resource provides additional tools, videos and downloadable resources. This creates a supportive learning environment where parents, students and educators can assure success.

Looking Ahead: A Commitment to Continuous Improvement

We are constantly working to improve the App. In the future, you can expect to see exciting features like:

  • AI-powered Feedback: The app could integrate artificial intelligence to provide personalized feedback on writing techniques. This could involve analyzing pressure points, letter formation accuracy, and overall consistency, offering suggestions for improvement in a way that is both encouraging and specific.
  • Interactive Games and Activities: The app could incorporate interactive games and activities to make learning more engaging. These activities could focus on specific skills like letter recognition, spelling, and sentence writing while maintaining a fun and playful atmosphere.
  • Multi-language Support: Expanding the app to support multiple languages would open doors for a wider audience. This would allow children to learn proper letter formation and handwriting skills in their native language, while potentially giving them a head start on learning additional languages.

The Final Word: The Power of Handwriting in a Digital Age

We at Handwriting Success are thrilled to receive this prestigious recognition from Research.com, placing us among the top educational apps for kids in 2024. This award is a tremendous honor, and it validates the dedication of our entire team to fostering a love of learning through innovative and engaging technology.

To our valued customers, your trust in Handwriting Success truly motivates us. Your feedback and suggestions are the foundation we build, and your satisfaction is our ultimate goal. We are constantly developing exciting new features and improvements, all driven by a commitment to making Handwriting Success the most engaging and effective tool for learning to write.

The learning journey never ends, and we are honored to be a part of it alongside you. Thank you for choosing Handwriting Success, and stay tuned for even more ways to unlock the power of writing in the future!

Strong Fingers, Strong Writing: Distal Control Exercises

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The art of handwriting often takes a backseat in today’s age of digital communication. However, its significance remains undeniable, underscored by the intricate brain connectivity it stimulates. 

Professor Audrey van der Meer, from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, highlights this, noting that, “When writing by hand, brain connectivity patterns are far more elaborate than when typewriting on a keyboard.” This intricate neural engagement plays a pivotal role in memory formation and information encoding, ultimately enhancing learning outcomes.

Distal control lies at the heart of proficient handwriting, which involves the adept manipulation of writing tools through finger strength and precision. Recognizing the importance of this skill is crucial for grasping the essence of fluent handwriting. In this article, we delve into the realm of distal control exercises, shedding light on their role in cultivating strong fingers for eloquent writing.

What is Distal Control?

Distal control, within the realm of handwriting, refers to the mastery of fine motor movements primarily executed by the fingers, particularly the thumb, index, and middle fingers. It involves the adept manipulation of writing utensils with precision and fluidity, enabling the creation of legible and coherent letters. 

In contrast to proximal stability, which relies on the wrist and forearm for support, distal control emphasizes the intricate coordination and independent movement of the fingers.

In essence, distal control is the cornerstone of proficient handwriting, influencing the ease and fluency with which thoughts are transcribed onto paper. Recognizing its significance lays the foundation for exploring effective exercises to enhance this essential skill.

Why is Distal Control Important for Handwriting?

Distal control is crucial for proficient handwriting, serving as the cornerstone for handwritten communication. Here’s why it’s so important:

  • Precise Manipulation of Writing Tools. Distal control allows for accurate and consistent letter formation, regardless of the writing tool used.
  • Improved Letter Formation and Legibility. Strong distal control leads to smoother movements, resulting in letters that are uniform in size, shape, and spacing, making them easier to read.
  • Reduced Fatigue During Writing. Efficient distal control minimizes strain on hand and wrist muscles, enabling longer writing sessions without discomfort.
  • Development of a Proper Tripod Grasp. Distal control is essential for adopting a proper tripod grasp, enhancing writing comfort and efficiency.
  • Tactile neural response. Research suggests that distal control is an integral component of the handwriting experience that combines with visual and auditory input to give handwriting its edge over typing.

By practicing targeted exercises, individuals can refine their distal control skills and enhance their handwriting with clarity, precision, and efficiency.

Distal Control Exercises for Strong Writing

Improving distal control and enhancing handwriting skills requires integrating targeted exercises into your routine. These exercises aim to strengthen finger muscles and promote coordination. Here are effective distal control exercises:

Pinch Activities

Engage in pinching and releasing motions with tools like tongs or clothespins. Start with larger objects and progress to smaller ones for challenge. For more ideas on pinch strength activities, see the Royal Children’s Hospital’s Occupational Therapy page.

Playdough Activities

Work with playdough to pinch, roll, and shape. Experiment with shapes and sizes for diverse muscle engagement.

Picking Up Small Objects

Practice picking up small objects, honing precision and control. The transition from larger to smaller objects over time.

Finger Isolation Exercises

Tap each finger individually or use finger puppets for controlled movements. Strengthen individual finger muscles and coordination.

Tearing Paper

Tear paper into small pieces with controlled movements. Start with larger pieces and decrease the size for increased difficulty.

Consistent practice and patience are key to improving distal control and handwriting proficiency. These exercises strengthen fingers and enhance writing clarity and precision. This is especially useful for people who write by hand daily. Around 51.4% still do, as you’ll see in this survey. 

Incorporating Distal Control Exercises into Your Routine

Integrating distal control exercises into daily routines is vital for adept handwriting improvement. Here’s how:

  1. Set Dedicated Time. Designate focused periods each day for practicing distal control exercises, ensuring consistency and progress.
  2. Start Small, Increase Gradually. Begin with brief practice sessions to avoid being overwhelmed, gradually extending the duration as skills develop.
  3. Incorporate into Tasks. Seamlessly integrate exercises into daily routines, maximizing efficiency and effectiveness.
  4. Keep it Engaging. Infuse creativity and enjoyment into exercises to sustain motivation and foster continued practice.
  5. Accountability. Engage with peers or mentors to stay committed to goals, track progress, and celebrate achievements together.

Adhering to these strategies lets you enhance finger strength and writing precision efficiently. 

Take Advantage of Digital Tools

Moreover, while handwriting is dwindling in today’s digital age, digital apps assist. One is The Handwriting Success App, a digital companion for refining handwriting skills. 

The app provides interactive eBooks designed to teach and enhance handwriting skills. Users can write directly on the eBooks using a tablet and stylus, with the added convenience of erasing and reusing pages for ongoing practice. The content ranges from printed italic alphabet and numerals to advancing to joined letters for cursive italic writing.

Regarding hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills development, digital tools are helpful for younger students. Including interactive apps for kids makes studying more exciting and strengthens basic writing and drawing abilities.

Especially for those beginning their handwriting journey, it is also regarded as one of the best learning apps for kids. These applications often offer entertaining, game-like activities to inspire kids to hone essential abilities such as finger strength and letter formation. The best learning tools for children help build a good attitude toward learning early on by making handwriting practice more exciting and gratifying.

Embracing the Craft: Strengthening Handwriting in a Digital World

So, while the art of handwriting encounters fresh challenges, its significance persists. Distal control exercises provide a route to fortify fingers and enrich writing clarity, irrespective of age or profession. By embracing focused exercises and acknowledging the importance of distal control, individuals can nurture robust fingers for eloquent writing. 

Let’s dedicate ourselves to regular practice and rediscover the delight and artistry of handwritten communication in our increasingly digital landscape.

FAQs on Recent State Handwriting Mandates

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Is California’s AB 446 “cursive or joined italics” a new mandate?

No, according to the California Department of Education. Since at least 1999, The California CCSS for ELA/Literacy contains outcomes related to cursive or joined italic for grades three and four. AB 446 copies these existing outcomes to the California Education Code Section 51210(a) , and extends the instructional requirement through 6th grade.

Sources: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/cf/cursiveinstrufaqs.asp and https://archive.org/details/lessonplansasses0000unse/page/n3/mode/1up?q=“cursive+or+joined+italic”

What does AB 446 mean for handwriting instruction in California starting January 1, 2024?

California AB 446 amended the California Education Code Section 51210(a) , as indicated in bold text, as follows: “The adopted course of study for grades 1 to 6, inclusive, shall include instruction, beginning in grade 1 and continuing through grade 6, in the following areas of study: (1) English, including knowledge of, and appreciation for, literature and the language, as well as the skills of speaking, reading, listening, spelling, handwriting, including instruction in cursive or joined italics in the appropriate grade levels, and composition.”

Neither the California CCSS for ELA/Literacy nor the California Education Code Section 51210(a) provide a definition of the phrase “cursive or joined italics.”

What does “cursive or joined italics” mean?

To understand this phrase, it is necessary to separate the three elements “cursive,” “joined” and “italics.” 

“Cursive” literally means “running,” and is used to describe a mode of writing where some or all letters are written without lifting the writing tool, and in a flowing manner. Cursive is a handwriting mode, not a handwriting style.

“Joined” letters are written without lifting the writing tool and therefore have additional lines made by the writing tool as it moves from one letter to the next. These additional lines are called ligatures or, more commonly, “joins.” If written in a flowing manner, “joined” and “cursive” mean the same thing.

“Italic” is a style of handwriting. Italics (plural) refers to a style of type. It is a common misnomer to use the word “italics” to signify the italic (singular) style of handwriting. Italic is also called Chancery or modern cursive. It was developed in Italy in the 16th century and used in the first printed handwriting instruction book in 1522.

Sources: “Cursive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cursive. Accessed 4 Mar. 2024, “Italic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/italic. Accessed 26 Feb. 2024, and Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “italic script”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Jul. 1998, https://www.britannica.com/topic/italic-script. Accessed 26 February 2024. For “modern cursive” see Primarium, https://primarium.info/handwriting-models.

What is the difference between handwriting and cursive?

“Handwriting” is any writing by hand, and is not specific to the mode or style.

“Cursive” literally means “running”, and is used to describe a mode of writing where some or all letters are written without lifting the writing tool, and in a flowing manner. People have been writing in the cursive mode for at least 2000 years, if not longer. (Learn more here.)

The word “cursive” is sometimes used incorrectly, either to mean handwriting in general or as a shorthand for a 19th-century style of continuously joined writing, now called continuous cursive or looped cursive. 

Source: “Cursive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cursive. Accessed March 4, 2024.

If “joined” and “cursive” mean the same thing, why specify “joined” italic?

Specifying that italic is joined signifies that the requirement is to teach italic in a cursive mode (commonly called cursive italic) in the appropriate grades. Most educational handwriting styles have two modes — an unjoined mode (called print or manuscript) and a cursive (joined) mode. Italic handwriting allows the student to join letters as appropriate, unlike continuous cursive styles, where the cursive mode has no join options.

Is italic usually not joined?

Italic handwriting can be joined or unjoined. Kindergarten and 1st grade students learn the print (unjoined) mode of italic (sometimes called “basic italic”). Students in 2nd grade and up learn how to join the print mode italic letters they have already learned. The letter paths remain unchanged in the cursive mode, and therefore students in 2nd grade and up have the option to join or not, as appropriate. 

How does italic differ from continuous (“looped”) cursive styles?

There are many educational handwriting styles. Most educational handwriting styles have two modes, a print (unjoined) mode and a cursive (joined) mode. Italic styles typically do not change letter paths between these two writing modes. In other words, students learning the cursive mode do not need to relearn the alphabet.

Unlike italic styles, continuous cursive styles have a cursive mode that has few letter paths in common with the print mode. Continuous cursive handwriting styles have as many as 42 new letter paths compared to their respective print mode (image of example letter ‘f’ below: red letters indicate a new letter path in the cursive mode compared to the print mode).

Compare other letters here.

Why teach joined italic instead of continuous cursive?

Curriculum decision makers opt for italic handwriting for a number of reasons:

  • Italic builds on previous concepts throughout the student’s formative years. Students learn a print mode of italic in Kindergarten and 1st grade, then in 2nd and 3rd grade learn how to join those letters for the cursive mode of italic.
  • The italic style is easier to read, due to its loop-free ascenders and descenders, and use of letterforms that are commonly found it type.
  • There is evidence that italic handwriting may have better retention compared to some continuous cursive handwriting styles.

Continuous cursive, by contrast, requires that students abandon the print mode letter paths they learn in Kindergarten and 1st grade, and then relearn the alphabet in order to write in a cursive mode. Some continuous cursive styles require up to 42 new letter paths for the cursive mode. See this Style Comparison Tool to learn more.

What curricula provide instruction in joined italic?

There are several publishers of educational materials for italic handwriting worldwide. Some may indicate that their style is “italic” without actually maintaining the characteristics of the historical italic hand. For this reason, it is important to know some of the features of italic handwriting, in order to assess prospective methods.

In general, italic handwriting:

  • Does not use loops or curlicues.
  • Has a slight slope to the right of 5 to 15 degrees (measured from vertical).
  • Has a capital letter height and ascender height that is 1.5 times the lowercase letter body height.
  • Uses lowercase letter proportions that are roughly 2 to 3 (width to height) for most lowercase letters.
  • Has the option to use serifs.
  • Does not join from capital letters to lowercase.
  • Does not include entry strokes in the body of the letter (image below of example letter ‘e’: italic on left, continuous cursives styles on right, entry stroke is indicated with an arrow).
  • Does not join out of letters g, j, q or info f.
  • Has letters ‘r’ and ‘s’ that are similar to what students see in type.
  • Has a letter ‘a’ shape with a semi-flat top.
  • The letter ‘a’ shape is shared with d, g, and q and is rotated for b, and p.
  • The letter ’n’ shape is shared with h, r, and m, and is rotated for u and y.
  • Has no ascender on ‘t’, only a slight rise above the waist-height line.
  • Has 20 lowercase letters that are written in one stroke (some italic styles use a two-stroke ‘e’ and/or a one-stroke ‘k’).
  • Uses capital letters based on Roman models, similar to what students see in type (image below shows non-Roman capitals in red).

The Getty-Dubay® Italic Handwriting Series for K-6 is an educational handwriting curriculum that contains all these attributes of the italic style. Learn more at handwritingsuccess.com

Font credits: Italic font used is Getty-Dubay® Educational Fonts, continuous cursive font used is Learning Curve by Blue Vinyl Fonts.

Help Desk: Using Lined Paper

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The Getty-Dubay® Italic Handwriting Series utilizes six different writing sizes, based on the student’s developmental level. For instance, Kindergarteners learn to form letters at 14mm. (In other words, the body height of the lowercase letter without ascender or descender is 14mm). On the other extreme, 6th graders (and up) can use a 4mm body height.

Extra Getty-Dubay® ruled lines pages are in the back of each Getty-Dubay® Italic Handwriting Series workbook and Instruction Manual for you to scan or photocopy for classroom use, and are also available at handwritingsuccess.com.

However, generic lined paper is usually plentiful, and you will most likely want to have your students use the appropriate lined paper size for their handwriting practice, writing assignments and note taking. These sizes are typically called Wide Ruled, College Ruled and Narrow Ruled.

It is best if the line height matches the appropriate body height of the letter for the student’s developmental level. That usually means the lowercase ‘a’ fills the distance between the baseline and the waistline, whereas the capital letter reaches only halfway to the next line above, as you can see in the images below. Descenders reach down half way to the next line below. Older students should be able to keep the body height of their written letters consistent, and therefore can use lined paper where the there is no visible waistline (see Images 2 and 3 below).

Here are our recommendations for best practices:

Kindergarten — Use only the baseline, and separate it from other lines by about 28mm (twice the lowercase body height).

1st grade — Use Narrow Ruled paper and make the lowercase body height 2 lines tall (see Image 1).

2nd and 3rd grade — Use Wide Ruled paper and make the lowercase body height 1 line tall (see Image 2).

2nd (advanced) thought 4th grade — Use Narrow Ruled paper and make the lowercase body height 1 line tall (see Image 1).

3rd (advanced) grade and up — Use either Narrow Ruled paper and make the capital height 1 line tall (see Image 1) or use Wide Ruled paper and make the lowercase body height ½ line tall (see Image 3). Neither the lowercase letters or capitals will touch the line above.

5th grade and up — Use College Ruled paper and leave a gap line between writing lines (see Image 2). The baseline is the focus. Neither the lowercase letters or capitals will touch the line above.

Happy writing!

Image 1. Narrow ruled paper.

Image 2. College ruled paper.

Image 3. Wide ruled paper.