Handwriting
Child uses non typical pen grasp
Child experiences pain/fatigue in hand when writing
Ensure the child is sitting comfortably and they have a comfortable pen/pencil to hold. Sometimes a wider barrel pen helps. Offer the child breaks when writing longer pieces, give them more time to complete their work.
- Handwriting the 4-P (pdf)
Child cannot form letters correctly
- Handwriting: The 4-Ps (pdf)
- Handwriting: The 7-Ss (pdf)
- Handwriting checklist (pdf)
- Handwriting assessment screening tool (pdf)
Child’s handwriting has not improved by age of 10
- Keyboarding skills (pdf)
Letters float above lines and child is not sure where to place letters
See also the 4 P’s and 7 S’s, handwriting assessment and
Letters are large
You can try using boxed/graph paper rather than lined paper.
There are no finger spaces between words
Use a coffee stirrer or similar to create a visual reminder to leave spaces (see video link below).
Page last reviewed: 5 June, 2025