Writing Pattern Board

Writing is a complex process. It requires language development, awareness of phonemes and graphemes and fine motor control, Neuro Dynamix only focuses on the physical not mental aspects of writing. The fine motor control needed to make the letter symbols of sound is vital in the communication of a written message. If fine motor development of the hands is immature more concentration is spent on the physical part of writing and less concentration is available for what is being written.

Writing patterns can be done in the air, with paintbrushes and water on walls or paths, with the index fingers in a tray of raw rice or sand and with any art equipment. Visual-motor coordination plays a decisive role in writing and enables the learner to correctly see (visual) and write (motor) letters.

When writing the spoken word sound has to be converted into visual images.

Pre-writing patterns

Different types of lines such as vertical and horizontal lines, zig-zags, waves and spirals are used by learners to strengthen the small muscles in their wrists and hands and the ligaments in their fingers. They draw these patterns from the left to write when a page is in landscape position.

What is a WRITING PATTERN BOARD?

 

A writing pattern board is like a landscape page with four removable writing patterns. Each of the writing patterns is different. A hole at the back of the removable parts allows for easy manipulation and draws on proprioception when a learner needs to locate the hole without looking.

The board comes with a marble that can be run across the various patterns when the board is gently moved to the left and to the right.

Fine motor

The ability to make precise movements using the small muscles in the fingers, hands and wrists and usually involves the coordination of hands and fingers with the eyes.

Handwriting

Dexterity and finger skills have been shown to have the most impact on handwriting.

Fine motor and handwriting

When fine motor skills are poor, handwriting is often affected by the learner’s ability to manipulate or control the pencil.

 

I certainly don’t think adrenalin coursing through your veins, is going to help with fine motor skills.

STUART APPLEBY

 

What is the purpose of the Neuro Dynamix Writing Pattern Board?

The purpose is to connect the hands and eyes on a fundamental level because visual-motor integration (VMI) enables the hands to correctly replicate what the eyes see. Seeing writing patterns provides the learner with an image in their minds that they can copy with their hands.

The Neuro Dynamix Writing Pattern Board helps to develop movement in the arms, shoulders and wrists to coordinate the fine motor skills in the fingers and hands. When the Neuro Dynamix Writing Pattern Board is handled with rhythmic and fluid movement it establishes a pattern that tends to transfer to handwriting.

 

Warm up with Mind Moves before you introduce Neuro Dynamix Writing Pattern Board:

Arm workout With the learner standing with their feet slightly apart, show him how to clasp his hands together, fingers intertwined and palms turned outwards. While keeping his body in the upright ‘string-of-beads’ position he has to extend the arms forward to lengthen the arm and shoulder muscles. After maintaining the extended position for a count of eight, the learner must repeat the process with the hands above the head. The hands then need to be dropped down against the body, with palms turned downwards, and then the process needs to be repeated. Let the learner unclasp the hands and move them behind his back and clasp and push the palms downwards, opening up the shoulders to lengthen and relax the muscles. This movement stimulates the muscle tone in the back, shoulders and hands for improved posture, hand-eye coordination and communication skills. >> Watch Video

Temporal Toner Starting in front of the ears, the learner must use both hands simultaneously, gently tapping upwards around the ears. This movement promotes temporal lobe stimulation to improve listening skills, auditory perception, vestibular stimulation, proprioception and balance. It also promotes integration between listening and communicating both in verbal and written form. >> Watch Video

 

Suggested activities for the Neuro Dynamix Writing Pattern Board:

• Show the learner the board then blindfold him. Ask the learner to use the holes at the back of the board to gently remove the patterns. They need to feel the holes rather than tip the board over to see the holes before removing the patterns. Encourage the learner to remove the writing patterns from top to bottom and place them to the left of the board. Encourage the learner to trace the space where the first pattern was on the board with their index finger. Move the index finger from left to right. Repeat the action with all three other patterns. Ask the learner to find the pattern that fits into the first space and fit it gently into the board. Do this with the other three patterns as well.
• Use your stopwatch and time how long it takes the learner to repeat this activity. Record the date and time. Repeat once more and compare the times. If the learner battles to fit the patterns into the board, remove the blindfold and allow the learner to see what they are doing. Time their efforts and record them. When the learner is ready to be blindfolded do so and ask the learner to complete the activity without the pressure of time. If the learner is both confident and competent introduce the stopwatch.
• Ask the learner to close their eyes, remove the patterns from top to bottom and place them to the left of the board. Pass the learner a marble. Start at the pattern at the top and position the marble on the left. Gently tip the board to enable the marble to roll to the right. Right the board so the marble doesn’t fall out. Continue the same activity with the other three patterns moving the marble from left to right. Should the marble fall out, start from the top again. Put the marble away and ask the learner to replace the patterns on the board.
• Remove the shapes gently, move the board away and turn it over. Use a pencil and a blank page in landscape position and trace the patterns on the paper in the exact sequence as they appear on the board. Turn the board over and compare their efforts. Replace the patterns. Use felt-tipped pens or pencils to turn each pattern into a picture.
• Repeat the activity but this time, remember what the second pattern looked like and trace it at the top of the page. Trace the last pattern next and then the second and third pictures. Compare their sequence with the instructions and the patterns on the board. Celebrate the learner’s visual memory and if incorrect, place the board above the level of the learner’s nose and look at the patterns. Looking up activates visual memory. It may now be easier for the learner to mentally swop the positions of the patterns before copying them onto paper. Replace the patterns.
• Remove the patterns and place them to their left. Place the board on the desk with the spaces for the patterns facing up. Place a blank page on the board. Remove the paper from a crayon and place the crayon flat against the board to do a shape rubbing. Be sure that the learner rubs from left to right while the board stays in front of them. This enables the learner to cross the visual and kinaesthetic midlines quite a few times. Replace the patterns. Ask the learner to write their name on each of the patterns on the paper. The letters of their name need to follow with the curves and lines of the patterns.

Don’t copy letter shapes, WRITE THEM.

What skills relate to the Neuro Dynamix Writing Pattern Board?

• Fine motor wrist and hand movement:
• Writing horizontally
• Writing vertically
• Writing diagonally
• Writing anticlockwise
• Writing clockwise
• Writing patterns with curves and loops
• Writing patterns with a variety of straight lines – vertical and horizontal
• Directionality
• Crossing the midline
• Eye-hand coordination
• Visual-motor integration.