DIY Slant Board

A slant board typically consists of a flat surface positioned at an angle with clips to hold paper in place.  They come in a variety of sizes and angles, and some are even adjustable. Why use a slant board?

• Slant boards promote fine and visual motor skills- The angled position of the board promotes better placement of the shoulder, arm and hand.  It is therefore providing a better position to work on skills such as writing and drawing.  The position of the board also brings the paper closer to the child and makes it easier to see.

•  Promotes an efficient grasp- The angled position of the slant board promotes a better hand position which provides additional support for holding a pencil appropriately.

•  Provides an easier to reach work surface-For children who have difficulty reaching the entire paper while flat on a desk, the slant board provides an easier distance to reach from the top to the bottom of the page, while also keeping the paper stabilized.

• Helps with posture- Typically, writing or reading on a flat surface utilizes an inefficient posture, which could lead to slumped body position, elevated shoulders, and looking down consistently. The slant board brings the line of vision higher, which encourages an upright posture.

• Allows visual tracking for reading. Placing a book or other reading material on a slant board may reduce eye strain. The student does not need to refocus their eyes as they scan through a page since all text remains at the same angle.

You can easily make a slant board with a few simple steps. Please click the link for printable instructions: DIY Slant Board