A relaxation method for handwriting improvement was examined using experimental and no-treatment control groups composed of 10 students receiving a poor rating on handwriting characteristics and a normal control group of 10 composed of students receiving average ratings. (Author/PHR)

Compares written stories of normally achieving and learning disabled (LD) children in grades 1-3. Tests receptive language, figure copying, and spelling. Finds that groups differed on figure copying, spelling, and written productivity, but not receptive language. Finds that non-LD grade level groups differed on two components of the handwriting…

Multiple-group structural equation modeling was used to analyze structural relationships between latent factors underlying measures of handwriting, spelling, and composing for students in grades one through six. Results with 300 children show that the mechanical skills of writing may constrain the amount and quality of composing. (SLD)

The study compared stories written on either a word processor or handwritten by 15 children (ages 8-12) with learning disabilities. Use of the word processor resulted in fewer spelling errors for children with severe spelling problems and longer stories for children having problems with the mechanics of the writing task. (Author/DB)

Questions the required use of over-sized pencils as writing implements in kindergarten. Evaluates eight writing samples written with eight tools of different sizes and shapes. Reports no noticeable differences in the conventionality (form) of the letters, in directionality, or in spelling. (KEH)

Reports on a handwriting experiment on the learning of four Arabic letters by novice writers of Arabic script. Finds a general learning effect expressed as a decrease of movement time and writing dysfluency. Finds a differential effect of practice on the trade-off between simple reaction time and movement time as a function of consecutive trials.…

Fifth-grade students with learning disabilities who were good (n=12) and poor (n=11) handwriters and 56 matched controls were asked to copy text under two conditions, quickly and neatly. Students with learning disabilities were not as capable of increasing writing speed and demonstrated a slower rate of speed. (Author/CR)

Examined emergence of a writing system in 4- to 12- year-olds. Found transition occurring around age 6 in which production was more fluent for writing than drawing and activation of one system interfered with the other. Modeling consolidation of both phenomena generated testable parameters for development, involving increasing specialization and…

Finds the current emphasis on technical accuracy and neatness in handwriting limits the role of drawing in children's construction of text. Suggests this has adverse consequences for development of pupil confidence, particularly in boys. Argues that teachers need to be more understanding of differences in the modes in which pupils choose to make…

Among the various tests employed in personnel selection, handwriting analysis, or graphology, has enjoyed long-standing international popularity despite being highly contentious. This report contains not only an evaluation of the current published scientific reviews on the use of graphology in personnel selection, but also an evaluation of several…

The aim of our study was to investigate possible relationships between writing and drawing performance of school-aged children, in order to compare the two skills at the within-individual level. The sample consisted of 182 right- and left-handed children, aged 8 to 12 years. Children were examined by the Greek adaptation of the Luria-Nebraska…

The act of writing presents difficulties for 10-30% of elementary school children. This study's objectives were to compare the abilities of digitizer-based evaluation of the handwriting process and conventional evaluation of the handwriting product to discriminate between children with proficient and dysgraphic handwriting. Copied and dictated…

This study addressed two questions related to the writing of second graders ("n"=195). The first examined the effects of writing prompts on the compositional fluency of second-grade students. The second considered whether these effects are different based on spelling achievement and handwriting fluency. Students wrote six narratives in response to…

The purpose of this report is to provide data on the progress of the Handwriting Implementation Project, which is designed to assist in installing the Beginner's Alphabet and Queensland Modern Cursive Script in Queensland government primary schools. Following an introduction that describes the phases and processes of curriculum development and…