Handwriting is the result of a process in which linguistic, psychomotor
and biomechanical factors interact with physical maturation,
cognitive development and learning. Digital tablets, which
record the writing in real time, allow a kinematic analysis of written
trace: the implemented algorithms analyze parameters as
length, duration and speed of the components (trace between
two pen-lifts) and strokes (trace between two minima of curvilinear
velocity). The purpose of this work is to fill, at least for Italy, the
lack of normative data on typical handwriting processes. This
cross-sectional study will present data on 218 right-handed and
Italian mother-tongue students, attending classes from 2nd to
8th grade. They performed specific tasks (tests of writing speed;
transcription of a sentence accurately vs. speedily) by a digital tablet.
The analysis showed many changes of the considered parameters
across the classes, as in the horizontal, curvilinear mean and
peak velocities of components and strokes, with higher values in
the last years of schooling and a parallel decrease in the number
of strokes/letter (improvement of automation). In conclusion, some
of these parameters are useful for studying development and
learning of writing and their values can be used as references to
evaluate samples with different characteristics.
