Lined Paper and Letter Formation in First Graders

A recent study in the Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention assessed two groups of first grade students with the Minnesota Handwriting Assessment. The first group printed on a four-lined writing grid that included top, middle, base, and descender guidelines. The second group printed on double lined paper that provided middle and base guidelines only.

The results indicated the following:

• no difference between groups for legibility, form, alignment, and space as measured by the Minnesota Handwriting Assessment. 
• a statistical difference noted between the two groups for size 
• sizing errors showed that 55% of the students in the double-lined paper group used the middle guideline as a top guideline 

The researchers recommend using paper with a top and bottom guideline for first graders to encourage proper letter sizing.

Reference:  Whitney Reidlinger MAOTR/L, Catherine Candler PhDOTRBCP & Marsha Neville PhDOT. Comparison of Differently Lined Paper on Letter Production Quality in First Graders. Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention Volume 5, Issue 2, 2012 pgs 155-164 DOI:10.1080/19411243.2012.701544