Handwriting is important for exams! It’s no secret that kids spend much more time typing than they do writing. This can be a big problem when taking an exam because many people are no longer used to handwriting answers.
So what should you do? The best thing would be to take practise tests to get back into the habit of handwriting answers again before the actual test day arrives.
The importance of handwriting for school exams and how you can help your child to improve their handwriting
Clear handwriting can distinguish between getting the answer correct and not – at least for the person marking the exam paper. I always tell my students that if we can’t read their handwriting, after weeks, months and years of working with them, it’s unlikely that someone who doesn’t know them will be able to.
Clear handwriting is important for exams, as well as the ability to handwrite answers quickly and accurately.
It’s no secret that children spend much more time typing than they do writing. This can be a big problem when it comes to taking a written exam.
Legibly handwritten content can make the difference between getting an answer correct and not – at least for your child’s teacher marking their exam paper.
In this video, our managing director, Joycellyn Akuffo, describes some simple yet effective ways to help your child improve their handwriting.
What should you do to support your child with their handwriting?
There is no substitute for writing by hand, so if your child needs more time on exams because their speed at typing isn’t as fast as they might like, you can consider allowing them to write the answers by hand.
Handwriting is important for exams! It’s no secret that kids spend much more time typing than they do writing. This can be a big problem when taking an exam because many children are not used to handwriting answers anymore. So what should you do?
The best thing would be to take practise tests to get back into the habit of handwriting answers again before the actual test day arrives. Older children won’t be keen to start using a handwriting book – most children found them to be quite a bore when they were younger, so the mere mention of doing handwriting sheets may be met with some resistance!
How does your child’s handwriting affect their grades in school and exams like the 11 Plus?
Handwriting is one of the most essential skills children will need to learn, as their writing can affect their grades. There are several reasons why it is necessary for school exams:
- Handwriting helps you think clearly and logically; whether or not your writing looks neat has no bearing on this capacity.
- Having bad handwriting might make it harder to learn new concepts in school, as the information isn’t legible enough for teachers or other students to read.
- Handwriting is an important skill that will help you throughout life, and school exams are just one example of this. While it may seem like the least crucial aspect during the 11 Plus exams, it is vital to keep in mind that writing can be a part of nearly every aspect of life.
- Handwriting may not seem like the most crucial component when preparing for the 11 Plus exams, but good handwriting skills are vital no matter what your child’s future career goals are.
More Handwriting tips and tricks to make it easier for your child to improve their handwriting
Handwriting is a skill that needs to be practised, so challenging your child by giving them writing tasks at home will help them improve their skills.
- Handwriting is not something you can learn in a day. It takes time and practice. So don’t expect your child to master their writing skills overnight – they won’t be perfect straight away!
- Ask your child what they think about handwriting when preparing for the 11 Plus exams: ask them to point out things that bother them (such as where they put the full stops in relation to the margin or how they form their letters).
- Give your child art activities that involve writing with paint, brushes and other tools. This will help them get more comfortable working with their hands. It can also be fun for you both when doing these types of exercises at home!
- If your child is struggling with handwriting, don’t be afraid to ask for help from someone else. You can get a tutor or another family member or friend who knows more about teaching children how to write to give your child some pointers and tips on improving their writing skills.
- Handwriting doesn’t just affect the way others read your child’s writing. It also affects the way your child thinks. If their handwriting is messy or illegible, this can affect how they can process and comprehend new information.
- Handwriting may not seem like the most critical component when preparing for 11 Plus exams, but good handwriting skills will help your child throughout life – so don’t scrimp on the practice!
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