Learning to write isn’t easy, and every child does it in their own time. But struggling to keep up can be frustrating and affect your child’s confidence and happiness at school.
With help from our partner, the National Handwriting Association, here’s some guidance for common handwriting problems.
What’s your main worry about your child’s handwriting development?
It’s hard to decipher individual words – they’re not properly forming letters and words, which makes their handwriting illegible
There might be a number of reasons for this:
Your child might not have the level of control needed to properly create the shapes of letters or might find it too painful. Maybe they don’t have the concentration to finish words, or are simply struggling with the pen. Try to isolate the cause of the problem by going over the basics together and seeing how different types of pen affect their writing.
They’re finding it uncomfortable or painful to write
Children that have hypermobile fingers or struggle with grip can find handwriting particularly challenging. Using the right pen can help to relax their grip and enhance their comfort. You might also consider help from an occupational therapist or a physiotherapist to make things easier. Keyboarding can be an alternative, although handwriting shouldn’t be ignored completely.
They’re pressing too hard, or not hard enough
How much pressure they’re applying is a good indicator to how comfortably your child is holding the pen, and whether they’re feeling any pain. A relaxed grip and balanced pressure are essential, and often the wrong pen can get in the way. Try different pen shapes and weights, and check how your child grips other objects, as this might show that they need a bit more development of their fine motor skills.
They’re not interested in writing and struggle to concentrate, or give up easily
Lots of children aren’t interested in doing homework or handwriting practice, because let’s face it, it’s not the most exciting activity. Many children who are diagnosed with a developmental disorder like dyslexia or dyspraxia struggle with handwriting, but having difficulties with handwriting isn’t enough to suggest the presence of these disorders. Try different activities that masquerade as handwriting practice, such as writing a birthday present wish-list or a letter to Father Christmas.
STABILO’s EASY range has been designed and developed specifically for children learning to write, at each stage of the journey. From graphite pencils with grip moulds, to ergonomic fountain pens with angled nibs – check out the range!
Find more help and information about handwriting on the National Handwriting Association’s website