The Connection Between Posture and Handwriting

Good posture is the foundation of good handwriting. Yet it's one of the most overlooked factors when parents and teachers try to help children improve their writing skills.

The relationship between posture and handwriting is straightforward: when a child's body is properly aligned and supported, their hand is free to move efficiently across the page. When posture is compromised, handwriting suffers.

Here's what proper writing posture looks like: - Feet flat on the floor - Hips, knees, and ankles at 90-degree angles - Back supported by the chair - Forearms resting on the desk - Paper angled appropriately for the writing hand

Common posture problems I see include children who are too tall or too short for their desk, those who slouch or lean heavily on one arm, and kids who wrap their feet around chair legs instead of planting them on the floor.

Simple adjustments can make a world of difference. A footrest for shorter children, a cushion for proper hip alignment, or simply raising or lowering the desk height can transform a child's handwriting almost immediately.