Instead of pointing out what’s wrong . . . “This handwriting is so sloppy it’s almost impossible to read, honey. It looks like a chicken with muddy feet walked across your paper. You need to at least try to get the letters on the line.” . . . you’ll have a more motivated child if you point out what’s right: “Look at this letter B! It’s a real beauty contest winner. It sits so politely on the line. It’s not busting through the floor and bothering the downstairs neighbors. It’s not flying up in the air and banging on the ceiling.”
