Developing Letter Formation through Clay Molding and Handwriting Without Tears

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Writing is a complex task, many kids, especially in Kindergarten has difficulty writing letters and numbers. Most kids make many excuses for holding a pencil just to write their own names, but that doesn't mean they are not interested. They are just having a hard time with a pencil and a sheet of paper.

 METHODS

A kid who has difficulty writing has many causes. 1.) Dyslexia: A variable often familial learning disability involving difficulties in acquiring and processing language that is typically manifested by a lack of skill in reading, spelling, and writing. 2.) Dyspraxia: A problem of movement including printing and writing. 3.) Dysgraphia sometimes includes ADD and ADHD, children struggle with attention disorders that may lead to messy handwriting. These are the intervention used by the researcher: 1.) Let the kids play a clay, let him squeeze the clay both hands so the muscles of the hands can be exercised. 2.) Give him handwriting without tears worksheet so he can easily follow the pattern of the lines. And repeat the process every day.

RESULTS

This was conducted this study on one pupil who has difficulty in letter formation, all he can write are circles, and he can't even hold the pencil properly. At first, the researchers observed that he doesn't like holding a pencil nor draw anything, not like my other pupils, so as weeks by he was observed his handwriting does not have any improvement. So, the researcher gives him clay to play with and let him squeeze both hands. In that way, the muscles in his hands were exercised. And after an hour I let him write on a worksheet (handwriting without tears). I started on lines and curves and repeat these routines every day. Months past, the participant was given worksheets that are letters that spell his name, and let him write and follow the patterns every meeting. Also, the researcher printed another worksheet for him to bring home and practice writing. After 2 months of his routine have finally reached some improvement and can write on paper without the pattern.

DISCUSSIONS

The results prove that this method of letter formation is effective. The teacher must have a lot of patienceto the learner because early childhood is not easy to guide. It requires a lot of patience towards the learner, also it needs an effective strategy on how to manage a kid who only has a 5-minute span of focus. The teacher also must have that drive to let the children learn even how hard and impatient it is.