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Supporting your child's handwriting skills
- 5-11 Years
- SEND
- Child development and growing up
Some children can find handwriting very hard. They can become tired or
Explore the topics on this page:
Helpful equipment
There is equipment available to help your child feel more comfortable with writing. There are lots of pens and pencils designed to be comfortable to use. There are also pencil grips to make it easier to hold pencils and pens. Pencil grips can be used on lots of different pencils and pens.
Pencils and pens
Different types of pencil grips
Pencil grips these can help your child hold the pencil or pen easier and lessen some of the pain they have when writing.
Chair and table positioning
When your child is working on their handwriting or hand skills, it's important to make sure that your child is using a chair and table at the right height.
You can help your child by making sure your child is:
- sitting with their bottom at the back of the chair
- sitting straight with their back against the back of the chair
- sitting with their chair tucked in all the way
- in a chair where their legs are fully supported by the length of the seat
- placing their feet flat on the floor, they can use a footstool or box
- using a table that is at elbow height, they can sit on a box or booster seat
It's important for your child to take regular breaks. Try to avoid them sitting in one position for too long. Sitting for too long can make your child's joints stiff. If possible, give them regular stretch breaks every 10 to 15 minutes. Read more about movement breaks.
Some children can find it hard to stay in a sitting position for a long time. They may appear restless or fidgety, changing their sitting position or getting up and moving around. This is because in order to feel comfortable, they need to change how they sit a lot.
Upper limb stretches and hand exercises
Stretches that are helpful for children with hand-splints or who struggle with using too much pressure when they write.
