Handwriting, keyboarding, or both?

In this chapter, the authors bring together education and paediatric occupational therapy qualifications and experience to explore how children actually record their writing on a page or a screen. In recent times the handwriting or keyboarding debate has become a “hot topic” and source of confusion for many Early Childhood (EC) educators and Early Years (EY) schoolteachers. Curricula requirements and current practices in regard to the teaching of handwriting and keyboarding both are discussed within the chapter. The processes and benefits of handwriting and keyboarding are explored with reference to recent research literature. Issues and processes are examined and suggestions provided for what needs to be taught and how to get started. Left-handedness is discussed and practical advice provided. The authors provide a case for explicit instruction, in both handwriting and keyboarding, as a means to support effective writing. It is argued that integrating handwriting and keyboarding with text production enables these two important secretarial skills to be included in the crowded curriculum. Ideas for parents are provided. Reflection prompts are inserted throughout the chapter, along with recommended readings. A glossary of terms completes the chapter.