What is graphopedagogy?

Graphopedagogy is an educational method for handwriting. It aims to improve handwriting, especially in individuals experiencing difficulties or disorders in writing such as dysgraphia.

Handwriting rehabilitation helps children develop a better pencil grip, smoother and more legible handwriting, thereby improving their comfort and confidence in writing.

Problematic handwriting can manifest as illegible writing, slow writing speed, pain during writing, or poor posture.

Graphotherapy is a therapeutic process aimed at correcting handwriting disorders. The graphotherapist has a more psychology-focused approach. Graphopedagogy and graphotherapy share the same goal: to improve handwriting, but their methods differ.

A graphotherapist begins by conducting an assessment and then offers weekly sessions at their office. The term “patient” is used. The patient (child or adult) is alone with the graphotherapist.

On the contrary, a graphopedagogue offers sessions spaced 2 to 3 weeks apart on average. No assessment is written. Here, we do not speak of a patient but of a student. Depending on their age, a parent may be present and participate in the session. They will ensure the proper application of the advice and exercises proposed to be done at home daily.

As soon as a child starts to hold a pencil, which is around 4 years old. The graphopedagogue can teach them how to hold it properly. One should not hesitate to have one or two sessions to work on pencil grip, so that they do not develop bad habits.

It is in the final year of preschool (Grande Section in France) that a child begins to learn cursive writing, which they will continue to work on in the first year of primary school (CP in France). This period is pivotal; taking action when noticing that one’s child is having difficulty writing can help them overcome bad habits and pursue a more serene schooling experience.

There is no age limit for re-educating one’s handwriting; students and adults are also concerned. Their progress is often very rapid because they are highly motivated!

You can help your child by regularly practicing writing exercises, ensuring good posture, and encouraging a correct pencil grip.

Dysgraphia is a writing disorder that affects the ability to write by hand. It is primarily characterized by slow, disorganized, illegible handwriting with poorly formed letters. It is sometimes accompanied by other learning disorders.

The handwriting rehabilitation offered by graphopedagogy can treat dysgraphia and correct writing disorders. The exercises provided aim to automate the graphic gesture, proper pencil grip, and the appropriate posture for good writing. The graphopedagogue often collaborates with a speech therapist.

A graphopedagogue provides handwriting assessments, personalized graphopedagogy sessions, and advice to improve writing at home, in school, and in the workplace. They can also work in schools to train and/or raise awareness among teachers about writing difficulties and to inform parents about good practices.

These exercises are designed to be fun and educational, focusing on improving fine motor skills, pencil grip, and writing fluency.

Mastery of the graphic gesture plays a crucial role in learning spelling. If the gesture is liberated, then the student can better focus on composition and spelling.