Occupational Therapy Program Hosts Successful Handwriting Camp

When young children experience difficulty with handwriting, they may find school assignments more challenging. The ability to write legibly and with fluency supports productive engagement in the student role. According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, there is strong strength of evidence for the use of therapeutic handwriting practice to support the development of handwriting skills. 

Early elementary school students spent six evenings this summer developing skills to improve handwriting alongside faculty member and occupational therapist, Carrie Smith-Bell, OTR/L, and more than two dozen occupational therapy student volunteers.

Integrating best-practice techniques, the camp utilized a multi-sensory approach to handwriting. In addition to traditional pencil and paper, the children were able to explore letter formation using paint, scented markers, rice, wood pieces, and shaving cream. Under the guidance of Smith-Bell, the WVU OT students tailored activities to support children in developing proper pencil grip, hand strength, coordination, and good posture. Occupational therapy students were able to employ activities to enhance participation such as sensory breaks, gross motor activities, social stories, songs, and positive reinforcement.

Parents reported that their children looked forward to attending and noticed improvements with “ accuracy in formations, writing on lines, and better sizing.” The occupational therapy students who participated felt empowered and more confident in their pediatric intervention skills after volunteering at the camp. 

(Media consent was obtained for all children pictured here.)