English and Literacies Learning How to Make Meaning in Primary Classrooms

This chapter provides a brief history of handwriting development from ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics through to the role of technology and the relevance of handwriting in education in the twenty-first century. An introduction is given to the typical development of handwriting in the preschool and primary years, as well as the critical interrelationships that exist between oral language, reading and handwriting and keyboarding development. The cognitive and physical components involved to support the teaching of handwriting are also discussed. This is followed by key approaches and teaching strategies to support handwriting development. Finally, the chapter examines curriculum and assessment approaches and how the diverse needs of any classroom can be supported through differentiation.