Predictive validity of kindergarten assessments on handwriting readiness

Margo J van Hartingsveldt; Edith H C Cup; Jan C M Hendriks; Liesbeth de Vries; Imelda J M de Groot; Maria W G Nijhuis-van der Sanden

doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2014.08.014

Predictive validity of kindergarten assessments on handwriting readiness

Res Dev Disabil. 2015 Jan:36C:114-124. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2014.08.014. Epub 2014 Oct 16.

Authors

Margo J van Hartingsveldt¹, Edith H C Cup², Jan C M Hendriks³, Liesbeth de Vries⁴, Imelda J M de Groot², Maria W G Nijhuis-van der Sanden⁵

Affiliations

¹ Radboud University Medical Centre, Department of Rehabilitation, Nijmegen Centre for Evidence Based Practice, Postbox 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Health, Occupational Therapy, Tafelbergweg 51, 1105 BD Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: m.j.van.hartingsveldt@hva.nl.
² Radboud University Medical Centre, Department of Rehabilitation, Nijmegen Centre for Evidence Based Practice, Postbox 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
³ Radboud University Medical Centre, Department for Health Evidence, Nijmegen Centre for Evidence Based Practice, Postbox 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
⁴ University Medical Centre Groningen, Centre for Rehabilitation Beatrixoord, Dilgtweg 5, 9751 ND Haren, The Netherlands.
⁵ Radboud University Medical Centre, Department of Rehabilitation, Nijmegen Centre for Evidence Based Practice, Postbox 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Radboud University Medical Centre, Scientific Institute for Quality of Healthcare, Postbox 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

PMID: 25462472
DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2014.08.014

Abstract

We investigated the predictive value of a new kindergarten assessment of handwriting readiness on handwriting performance in first grade as evaluated by the Systematic Screening for Handwriting Difficulties (Dutch abbreviation: SOS). The kindergarten assessment consisted of the Writing Readiness Inventory Tool In Context (WRITIC), the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (Beery™VMI) and the Nine-Hole Peg Test (9-HPT). The WRITIC evaluates in kindergarten children (aged 5-6 years) prewriting skills, the Beery™VMI and 9-HPT evaluate visual motor integration and fine-motor coordination, all elements important for handwriting readiness. In kindergarten, 109 children (55 boys; mean age 70 months, SD 4.8 months) were tested with the WRITIC, Beery™VMI and 9-HPT and one year later in first grade (mean age 85 months, SD 4.5 months) with the SOS. A multivariable linear mixed model was used to identify variables that independently predict outcomes in first grade (SOS): baseline scores on WRITIC-TP, Beery™VMI, 9-HPT, 'sustained attention,' 'gender,' 'age' and 'intervention' in the intermediate period. The results showed that WRITIC-TP, Beery™VMI, and 9-HPT, 'sustained attention,' 'gender' and 'intervention' had all predictive value on the handwriting outcome. Thereby WRITIC-TP was the main predictor for outcome of SOS-Quality, and Beery™VMI and 9-HPT were the main predictors of SOS-Speed. This kindergarten assessment of WRITIC-TP, Beery™VMI, and 9-HPT contributes to the detection of children at risk for developing handwriting problems.

Keywords: Handwriting readiness; Kindergarten children; Outcome assessment; Predictive validity; School-based services.