Handwriting Spacing Between Words Tool
To make a DIY spacing tool, you’ll need a clothes pin. The wooden type is perfect for painting and decorating, making a fine motor craft based on the child’s interests, favorite color, etc. When the child makes their own spacing tool, they are more likely to use it again and again.
Using the clothes pin clip allows the spacing tool to be saved. (Better yet, the clip prevents another lost therapy item later found at the bottom of a backpack or in the midst of desk chaos!)
To make the Clothes Pin Spacing Tool
Next, get the kids started on painting. Ask the child or group of kids to paint all sides of the clothes pins.
On the wet paint, glitter and sparkling gems can be added. Let the paint dry and embellish with additional items including gems, stickers, puffy paint, or other items.
How to teach spacing between words with a clothespin:
The clothes pin clip is perfect for attaching to notebooks, folders, or a pencil box on a desk. Students will always know where their spacing tool is…but how do they use it?
Use a clothespin to teach spacing between words the same way you would use other spacing tools.
Show students how to place the clothespin on the paper after the last letter of a word. They can keep the clothespin in place as they write the next word in a sentence. They physical and visual cue of moving and seeing the clothespin can make a lasting impact on spacing between words.
Think about it this way: the messiest written work is easier to read when it has space between words. As readers, we tend to fill in missing blanks using our predictive reading skills. When words are spaced out, students will be better able to read back over notes, homework assignments, and other written work.
Spacing is often times, the easiest way to make a big impact on handwriting legibility!
For younger students, using the clip portion of the clothespin spacing tool can be achieved using strips of paper to practice handwriting. Simply cut regular double ruled paper into strips and clip the clothespin between each word as the child writes.
Those strips can even be laminated and handwriting practiced with a dry erase marker.
Using the clothespin spacing tool can make a big impact on written legibility!
Looking for more ways to teach spacing between words? Try these ideas:
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