Balancing Tech and Handwriting: Supporting Your Child's Growth

Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out!

We're reframing handwriting as more than just pen-to-paper—it's a foundational skill that shapes how children learn, organize their thoughts, and even pay attention. In homeschooling, we have the flexibility to adapt instruction, but that also means making deliberate choices about how—and when—we build these core skills. You'll hear practical ways to approach handwriting without getting stuck in extremes, and we'll discuss how technology and multi-sensory methods can coexist to support your child's development.

This conversation matters because the tools your child uses—whether it's a pencil, a laptop, or a speech-to-text app—each offer something unique. Handwriting isn't outdated; it's a critical layer in your child's learning toolkit, helping them think more clearly and keep their ideas organized as they grow.

• Multi-Sensory and Neurodevelopmental Approach
• Explanation of the neurodevelopmental (neurofirming) approach
• Importance of engaging multiple senses in learning
• Using gross motor, body movement, and heavy work activities before sitting for tasks
• Incorporating multi-sensory materials: shaving cream, types of paper, chalkboards
• Homeschooling Experiences
• Leslie Catlett's nine years homeschooling her children
• Differences between her two sons' learning styles (bookworm vs. kinesthetic learner)
• Benefits of homeschooling for offering breaks and movement opportunities
• Handwriting Instruction in Homeschool
• Daily formal handwriting instruction (5–10 minutes per day)
• Importance of explicit teaching (step-by-step verbal/visual cues)
• Not just tracing, but teaching letter formation, sizing, spacing, placement
• Research supporting explicit handwriting instruction
• Use of diverse materials (chalk, chalkboard, vertical surfaces)
• The Significance of Handwriting in the Digital Age
• Handwriting as a foundational skill—more than just putting letters on paper
• Handwriting as a "full brain workout"
• Cognitive benefits: engagement of hands, eyes, and brain; boosts attention, memory, learning
• Differences between writing by hand and typing
• Challenges with Handwriting for Fast Thinkers
• Students whose thoughts move faster than their physical writing abilities
• Strategies: using technology (recording or transcribing thoughts) to separate idea generation from handwriting
• Motor Skills, Self-Regulation, and Perfectionism
• Relationship between motor skills, cognition, memory, and comprehension
• Practicing fine motor control, coordination, motor planning, and sensory feedback
• Avoiding perfectionism: accepting mistakes, not over-emphasizing erasing
• Using pens or pencils without erasers to maintain flow of thought
• Integrating Technology: AI and Assistive Tools
• Perspective on handwriting vs. technology (not anti-tech, but balanced)
• How dictation, predictive text, and tablets can support struggling students
• Technology for access, but not for building foundational motor/sensory skills
• Autocorrection reliance and its potential impact on spelling development
• Pacing: Handwriting Slows Down, Technology Speeds Up
• Slowing down cognitive processes via handwriting vs. speeding up with screens
• Helping kids adjust to slower, more mindful pacing for foundational skill development
• Breaking tasks into manageable chunks; use of graphic organizers

• Download The Sensory Activity Ideas Here
• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Connect with Sarah Collins on IG
• The Homeschool OT Teachers Pay Teachers
• Homeschool Daily Setup: Parental Planning Guide
• The Penmanship Lab
• Connect With Leslie On IG
• Check Out Our Title Sponsor Lovevery
• Learning RX Website
• Episode 8: Beyond the Pencil: Exploring Vision's Impact on Homeschool Handwriting Success
• Episode 17: Neuro Affirming Homeschool Environments with Keisha Berry
• Episode 20: Tailored Kids' Activities from Crafts to Sleep: Insights from Connie O'Neill
• Episode 23: Blending Sensory Integration and Fitness for Better Handwriting
• Episode 24: Understanding the Handwriting Journey: Tools and Techniques for Homeschoolers
• Episode 27: Preserving Childhood in a Digital World: Greta Eskridge's Expertise for Families
• Episode 35: Connecting Speech, Phonemic Awareness, and Literacy: Sydney Bessard Explains it All
• Episode 40: Crafting Holiday Memories while Building Handwriting Skills
• Episode 45: Engaging Children Through Project-Based and Interest-Led Homeschooling
• Episode 55: Understanding Dysgraphia: Tools and Strategies for Homeschoolers
• Episode 65: Using Music to Support Regulation, Learning, and Connection in Homeschooling and Therapy
• Episode 77: Turning Letters Into Play: How Doodling Builds Handwriting Skills with Sarah Muldoon
• Episode 78: How Movement Influences Learning: OT Insights for Parents

Thank you to our title sponsor for this episode, Lovevery. You can check out their products and resources here.

Leslie Catlett, MS, OTR/L is the founder of The Penmanship Lab, where she helps children build confident, functional handwriting skills that support learning. A pediatric occupational therapist and mom of two, Leslie understands that handwriting challenges are often about much more than letters on paper. She brings a warm, individualized approach to working with children with ADHD, dysgraphia, dyslexia, and autism, focusing on the why behind each child's difficulties and creating engaging strategies that make writing more manageable and meaningful.

Leslie has a variety of experience in acute inpatient/outpatient, virtual/school based practice. Currently as of 2021, she provides in-person and remote OT services and consultation for K-12 students across the U.S. and internationally. Leslie collaborates closely with school teams and families through IEP/504 plans while providing OT services. Leslie's work has been featured in Good Day Columbus, Good Neighbor Podcast, ShoutoutDFW, and Voyage Dallas. In addition, The Penmanship Lab received the 2021-24 mom Approved Award from DFWChild magazine. Leslie is passionate about providing children with the tools necessary to create inclusive learning environments in which children feel worthy, confident and celebrate all accomplishments, however small they may be.

Leslie received her B.S in chemistry from Murray State University and completed her Master's degree in Occupational Therapy from University of Wisconsin-Madison. Leslie believes creating inclusive, supportive learning environments for all children and celebrating all small wins is imperative.