Reasons For Bad Handwriting

Handwriting is an essential skill that plays a significant role in communication, yet its quality has been steadily declining among students today. From confusing letter fonts to a lack of teacher training and parental involvement, various factors contribute to the rise in poor handwriting. Special educational needs, such as dyspraxia and dyslexia, further complicate the development of legible writing skills for some children. Despite these challenges, improving handwriting is possible with the right support. By addressing the root causes and implementing clear, structured methods like the Magic Link programme, we can help children overcome these obstacles and develop strong, confident handwriting and below are some of the reasons for bad handwriting…

 

Too Many Confusing Letter Fonts! 

Reasons for bad handwriting: confusing fonts, dyslexia, hypermobile,

One of the key reasons for bad handwriting is the confusion children face when learning to form letters and combine them into words and sentences. There are often too many complex methods of letter formation, with different styles being taught by different teachers. Handwriting, or penmanship, is the art of writing by hand using an instrument, and various styles have been popular across different eras and regions. For example, the continuous cursive font, which includes many lead-in strokes and loops, is not recommended by the National Handwriting Association as it often leaves students struggling to write clearly. In contrast, the Magic Link font, with its simple, no lead-in strokes and minimal flicks, makes letter formation easier, leading to fantastic improvements in handwriting.

 

 

Lack of Support for Teachers

One of the significant reasons for bad handwriting today is the lack of proper teacher training in handwriting instruction. No teacher training course today teaches handwriting instruction. As a result, the vast majority of primary school teachers do not consider themselves prepared to teach handwriting effectively. The consequence for the pupils has been a steady decline in their ability to write competently and legibly. Many teachers avoid teaching handwriting in the classroom as they are under the illusion that this is the ‘technological age’ and handwriting is not important. Students often exhibit poor posture, bad pencil grip and incorrect letter formation themselves. Sadly, teachers are not equipped with support to help children overcome these problems and this makes it almost impossible for them to teach their pupils the correct skills.

dysgraphia

 

 

 

 

 

Bad Habits and Posture Issues

Reasons for bad handwriting: confusing fonts, dyslexia, hypermobile,  Many children pick up bad habits in relation to handwriting, which children develop very easily. The two most common are when a child places his head flat on the table or, far too close to the paper, whilst writing. This means that letters and words are not seen clearly and can result in double vision! The other common problem is wrapping a thumb around the pencil. This affects fine motor movements and obscures writing.Often bad habits result from copying peers or, quite differently, where teachers are not taught to correct errors. Equally, children often need to slow down as they may have a fast mind and a slow pen! Others may just write slowly. In addition, children sometimes fail exams, not because of inability, but because of a well-meaning but flawed academic system- one that has unwittingly taught them bad habits.

 

Increasing Use of Digital Devices 

The increasing use of digital devices is a major reason for the decline in handwriting skills among children. With smartphones, tablets, and computers dominating their daily activities, many children spend far more time typing or tapping than physically writing. This shift has reduced the amount of time children practice handwriting, leading to weaker fine motor skills and a lack of fluency when writing by hand. Moreover, the instant gratification of using digital devices has diminished the patience and enjoyment that comes with the slow, deliberate process of handwriting. As a result, children often view handwriting as tedious or irrelevant, further decreasing their motivation to practice, which in turn negatively impacts the quality of their writing skills.

Recent research highlights the negative impact of increased screen time and digital device usage on children’s handwriting skills. The National Literacy Trust’s 2024 survey revealed that fewer children are engaging in handwriting activities in their free time, with only 11.1% writing daily. This sharp decline is linked to a growing preference for typing on digital devices over manual writing. This shift not only diminishes handwriting practice but also lowers children’s enjoyment of writing, with less than 29% expressing that they enjoy writing outside of school. The rise in technology use is reducing the time children spend practising handwriting, causing deterioration in writing skills, stamina, and presentation​

This trend is also confirmed by earlier findings from the UK’s education inspectorate, Ofsted, which pointed out that students’ handwriting, especially in terms of length, spelling, and presentation, had been adversely affected during the pandemic when remote learning replaced regular classroom writing

 

Special Educational Needs (SEN) Challenges e.g.

 

a)Dyspraxia

Dyspraxia is a disorder that affects motor skill development. People with dyspraxia have trouble planning and completing fine motor tasks. Dyspraxia is thought to affect up to 10% of the population and 70%of those affected are male. It is common for people who struggle with handwriting to feel distressed and frustrated, which in turn may lead to low self-esteem. Learning how to write the letters in the Magic Link handwriting programme and repeated practice of these simply explained tasks help people with dyspraxia. Pupils benefit from the step-by-step progress, which leads to more complex activities. Many people with dyspraxia have achieved excellent handwriting using the Magic Link handwriting programme.

 

b)Dyslexia

Reasons for bad handwriting: confusing fonts, dyslexia, hypermobile, Dyslexia affects all kinds of people, regardless of intelligence, race or social class. About 10% of the population has some form of dyslexia. Often, pupils with dyslexia have problems with messy, illegible, poor quality handwriting. When learning to read, children first have to link the shape of the word on the page with the sound it makes. Then, when it comes to writing they often have to recreate that shape back onto paper. For people with dyslexia, decoding these patterns and making these links can often be very difficult. As a result, they frequently fail to develop the automatic flow of writing, which will help them to express themselves clearly and easily in writing. The Magic Link handwriting programme has proved successful with these pupils due to its clarity and simple, logical structure.

 

c)Dysgraphia

Dysgraphia is another significant reason for bad handwriting, defined as a specific deficiency in the ability to write. This condition is not linked to reading ability or intellectual impairment; instead, it often manifests as difficulties with spelling, poor handwriting, and challenges in organising thoughts on paper. Dysgraphia can stem from delayed development or an acquired loss of writing skills, affecting approximately one in twenty children. These difficulties are typically associated with poor sequential information processing and motor skills, which can adversely impact both the speed and quality of handwriting, as well as spelling accuracy.

The Magic Link handwriting programme has proven beneficial for many children with dysgraphia by providing structured, clear guidance on letter formation. This programme focuses on building fine motor skills through simple, logical tasks, helping children to develop their handwriting in manageable steps. Research shows that children with dysgraphia often respond positively to this approach, leading to improvements in their handwriting speed, quality, and overall confidence in writing​​

By incorporating consistent practice and supportive techniques, Magic Link enables children to overcome some of the challenges posed by dysgraphia, ultimately enhancing their writing abilities.

dysgraphia

 

The Impact of Hypermobility

Another of the reasons for bad handwriting is the condition of hypermobility, which affects some children who struggle with writing. Around 20% of people have joints that are particularly mobile due to more pliable capsules and ligaments, meaning the muscles must work harder to stabilise the body. This lack of stability impacts handwriting, as 40% of children with joint hypermobility experience poor writing speed and endurance. Holding and moving a pencil becomes tiring and inefficient for these children. Programmes like Magic Link, which focus on improving letter formation, can help by increasing muscle strength and coordination, aiding children with hypermobility in overcoming these challenges.

hypermobility

 

Lack of Parental Input

Another significant reason for the decline in handwriting quality among children is the lack of parental modelling, as many parents now prioritise digital devices over traditional writing. Research from the National Literacy Trust reveals that 36% of children in the UK report their parents rarely write by hand in their presence, which diminishes the perceived value of handwriting. Without regular encouragement and correction from parents, children struggle to develop legible handwriting skills, impacting their academic performance and self-esteem. To combat this issue, parents should actively engage in handwriting activities with their children, emphasising its importance amidst our increasingly digital lifestyle.

 

The Perception of Handwriting

The modern perception of handwriting as old-fashioned and slower compared to typing can discourage children from practising it. In a world increasingly dominated by technology, young people may view handwriting as irrelevant, leading to decreased motivation to engage in writing tasks. This perception can be detrimental, as writing remains a crucial skill for effective communication.

 

Conclusion 

The decline in handwriting quality is a multifaceted issue that requires a collective effort from educators, parents, and society as a whole. By recognising the various factors contributing to this decline—such as confusing fonts, lack of teacher training, bad habits, and parental involvement—we can work together to promote the importance of good handwriting. Magic Link offers a structured approach to handwriting instruction, helping children develop their writing skills in a clear and logical manner. Engaging children in handwriting activities, providing structured instruction, and encouraging them to practice at home will help foster a generation that values and excels in this vital skill. To learn more about how Magic Link can support handwriting development, visit Magic Link.