• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar

minimised image Logo - Sheilagh Qualifications

Handwriting lessons, online training and worksheets

  • Home
  • Handwriting Tuition
    • Handwriting lessons
    • Handwriting assessment
    • Handwriting training for schools & OT’s
    • About Sheilagh Blyth
    • Quick pay page
  • Handwriting Help
    • Online courses
    • Blog
    • Help by ages
      • 3 to 4 years
      • 4 to 5 years
      • 5 to 6 years
      • 6 to 7 years
      • 7 to 8 years
      • 8 to 11 years
      • 11+ years
  • Handwriting worksheets
    • Join the GetSetWrite Club
    • How-to videos
    • Handwriting Challenges
    • All worksheets
    • Free worksheets
    • Get Set Write Members area
      • Handwriting club advice call
      • Account details
  • Contact
  • Login
  • Join the Club
  • Home
  • Handwriting Tuition
    • Handwriting lessons
    • Handwriting assessment
    • Handwriting training for schools & OT’s
    • About Sheilagh Blyth
    • Quick pay page
  • Handwriting Help
    • Online courses
    • Blog
    • Help by ages
      • 3 to 4 years
      • 4 to 5 years
      • 5 to 6 years
      • 6 to 7 years
      • 7 to 8 years
      • 8 to 11 years
      • 11+ years
  • Handwriting worksheets
    • Join the GetSetWrite Club
    • How-to videos
    • Handwriting Challenges
    • All worksheets
    • Free worksheets
    • Get Set Write Members area
      • Handwriting club advice call
      • Account details
  • Contact
  • Login
  • Join the Club
  • Home
  • About
  • Privacy Policy

Handwriting practice for teenagers.

Page header image for handwriting practice for teenagers

Has your child moved to secondary school and now their writing has got worse?

Are you afraid no one can read your teenagers writing?

Have the teachers told you your child’s handwriting needs to improve?

By the time your child reaches secondary school, time given for handwriting is absent. It’s all about core curriculum subjects leading up to exam choices.

In this article we look at how you can help your teenagers have handwriting that can be easily read and easily marked by examiners.

Often the major problem at this age is handwriting legibility. Either they are writing so fast it cannot be read. Or they are seen to be lazy by not writing enough.

One big difference now is that instead of one teacher getting used to your child’s writing. Multiple teachers need to be able to read their work.

Handwriting legibility matters

It is a myth that everyone in secondary school uses a tablet or computer. The written word still counts. We still have to handwrite exam answers. The only thing that has changed is that examiners mark from computer screens. No longer do they have the opportunity to turn a page to guess what is written. This change will makes it difficult for markers to read small writing or writing that has a light pen touch.  

How to help teenagers improve their handwriting without extra handwriting lessons.
  1. Lined paper

    Make sure they write on lined or squared paper. It really helps letter legibility.

  2. Hand exercises

    Don’t ignore it when they say they have pain after writing. It is often due to their pencil grip. Causing them a loss of blood flowing to the hand. Teach them simple hand exercises. Their mates won’t even notice that they are doing them.

  3. Pick up a pen

    Pens come in different shapes and styles. Most are ergonomically designed. These contours help the fingers feel comfortable when writing. Biro, fibre tip, gel or ink can make a difference to handwriting legibility. Your teenager needs to find the one they like. And it doesn’t have to be the most expensive pen.

  4. Prepare for speed

    Writing fast only happens when you have muscle memory. This is the ability to write without looking. People who don’t have this often take longer to write. Even a simple game of noughts and crosses at breakfast or tea time can help teach muscle memory.

  5. 66 days

    It takes this long for a habit to change. Handwriting can be improved. But there will be no overnight success. Your teenager needs to accept that improving their writing style is a strategic move. There are no quick fixes.

Mistakes (what NOT to do when doing handwriting practice with your teenager).
  1. Thinking cursive matters

    Cursive writing or joined up writing is a handwriting style. It is a choice. What matters is legibility and speed. Joined up writing, if not done right, can affect readability. 

  2. Staying up late

    Research has proven that when we are tired we write faster. And this affects handwriting legibility. If your child is tired when they go to school or when they do an exam their handwriting quality will be affected.

  3. Giving up

    Whatever your age, it is possible to improve handwriting. Because we are not seven years old our brains are not so adaptable. It might take longer. But it can be done with practice.

Teenager called Ben photo image for case study

Let me tell you about Ben

His company approached me to ask for handwriting help. It was for their new apprentice. As a supportive company, they wanted to help him improve his handwriting. They felt his bad handwriting was a poor reflection on their company.
Ben needed to handwrite orders and pass them onto the clients. The problem was no one could read Ben’s writing.

We worked together to improve his letter legibility and reduce his letter size. Helping him to meet the requirements of his new job.

Ben’s story shows that even when out of school, handwriting affects everyday lives.

To summarise handwriting practice for teenagers:

Handwriting is a life skill. It does not stop when your child leaves primary or secondary school.

It is possible to change bad habits. By teaching your teenager new methods, handwriting legibility and speed will improve. No longer do you need to fear that examiners cannot mark your teenager’s work.

6 Sessions | Any handwriting problem | Homework set between sessions

Your child or teenager might be struggling with letter legibility, size, formation or another common handwriting challenge. You want to see the most significant improvement, in the shortest possible time. Perhaps you’ve even tried additional support at school, with little to no noticeable effect. The result -Your child has become disillusioned with writing. Worse still, their confidence may even have taken a hit, and their school work may have nosedived.

My Skype Handwriting Programme provides a tailored experience for you and your child. Over the course of six sessions working with me, your child can improve any aspect of their handwriting. As for you – Mum, Dad – I’m here to listen to your concerns, answer your questions and advise as to how you can best help your teenager.

Family life is hectic (I completely understand) – so I work around you. Let me know what time suits you and we’ll go from there. In between our sessions, I’ll provide handwriting tasks that will solve the biggest improvements.

Get it here

Primary Sidebar

Member of HCPC, Royal College of Occupational Therapists, National Handwriting Association.

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Reject Privacy Policy
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.