Standardized tests of handwriting readiness: a systematic review of the literature

Abstract

Aim To establish if there are psychometrically sound standardized tests or test items to assess handwriting readiness in 5‐ and 6‐year‐old children on the levels of occupations activities/tasks and performance. Method Electronic databases were searched to identify measurement instruments. Tests were included in a systematic review if: (1) participants are 5 and 6 years old, (2) the focus was on handwriting readiness, and (3) the measurement was standardized. In the second step a further electronic search was undertaken for selected relevant measurement instruments to evaluate the content, psychometric properties, and feasibility of these instruments. Results The search identified 1113 citations. In the final selection 39 articles with information about 12 tests were included. The content, feasibility, and psychometric properties of these 12 tests were evaluated and none of the instruments was satisfactory, according to the specific criteria. Interpretation None of the instruments include all necessary components to evaluate writing readiness. Therefore, the development of an all encompassing assessment is necessary to test handwriting readiness and to make tailored interventions possible.

Assessment of Motor Functioning in the Preschool Period

“…Several recent reviews (e.g., Brown and Lalor 2009;Cools et al 2009;Slater et al 2010;Van Hartingsveldt et al 2011) provide comprehensive descriptions of the most commonly used assessment tools. Four of these tests are briefly outlined below.…”

“…A complex movement skill that is difficult to measure is handwriting. At the pre-school age, handwriting skills have not developed, but at this level, it is important to develop handwriting readiness or pre-writing skills (van Hartingsveldt et al 2011). It may be possible to identify a deficit in handwriting readiness through poor performance on fine motor tasks as there is extensive evidence of a relationship between fine motor difficulties and handwriting skill (e.g., SmitsEngelsman et al 2001).…”

Exploring Content Validity of Shore Handwriting Screening and Newly Developed Score Sheet With Pre-Kindergarten Students

“…The 12 tools in this review are varied in the types of tasks that they require as well as the psychometric properties. Very few of the tools included the paper-and-pencil tasks that are important to observe when assessing handwriting skills as well as fine motor and visualmotor coordination skills, which have been determined to be primary components of handwriting (Cornhill & Case-Smith, 1996;Daly et al, 2003;Smits-Engelsman et al, 2001;Van Hartingsveldt et al, 2011).…”

“…None of these tools are designed for use with children under 6 years of age. A standardized way of measuring pre-kindergarten students' early handwriting skills is lacking (Van Hartingsveldt et al, 2011).…”

“…Establishing a standardized handwriting assessment to assess young writers is important because occupational therapists should be using valid tools in practice to indicate accurate ability and progress (Feder & Majnemer, 2003;Feder, Majnemer, & Synnes, 2000;Van Hartingsveldt et al, 2011) and to identify students with deficits as early as possible (Engel-Yeger, Nagauker-Yanuv, & Rosenblum, 2009;High, 2008). …”