Children and Young People's Therapy Service

Handwriting

Handwriting

You have been directed to this information because a child you are working with has handwriting concerns.
If the child is experiencing several problems alongside handwriting, please consider talking to Children and Young People’s Therapy Service.

Handwriting problems can be caused by many things. Here are some suggestions if the child has difficulty with motor or perceptual skills.

Sitting position

Sitting in a good, comfortable position with a firm base will help the child control the pencil and focus on writing skills.

Make sure the table and chairs are the right height for the child. When sitting, the child’s feet should be flat on the ground with knees at right angles, and the table should be at elbow height.

Teach the child to ‘check’ themselves before starting to write: bottom back in the chair, chair pulled into the table, feet flat on the ground.

An angled writing slope can help with sitting upright. These can be bought cheaply from educational suppliers.
If the child has difficulty staying stable and upright, please refer to our core stability advice sheet.

Hand skills

Weak hand strength, flexible finger joints and poor proprioception can cause poor handwriting. You may want to look at these CYPTS advice sheets:

  • flexible joints
  • hand gym for older children
  • shoulder stability
  • developing fine motor skills

Pencil grip

By the age of nine, most children have found a grip that is comfortable for them and it is very hard to change this. Some grips may look awkward but can still work well. Here are some suggestions to try if the grip is affecting their handwriting.

If the child has trouble placing their thumb in the right place, put a coloured dot where the thumb should go to remind them.

Use pencil grips to help the child use the thumb, index, and middle finger to hold the pencil. There are different pencil grips available, each with different functions. You should try a variety of grips with the help of someone experienced in handwriting and fine motor skills – this could be your school’s SENCO.

Try different types and sizes of pencils and pens. Some children work better with rollerball pens, others with fountain pens.

General tips

  • Use small squared paper to help the child with sizing, spacing and visual planning.
  • For children who understand the concept of leaving spaces but are not consistent, you can make a ‘spacebar’. This is a piece of paper, preferably cardboard, one or two centimetres wide. Encourage the child to use this after each word to keep the spacing the same size. Check their work with them by placing the spacebar after each word and showing which spaces are too small.
  • Whole class hand warm-ups can help the child not feel isolated.
  • If the child has continued handwriting difficulties that cannot be easily fixed, consider the impact of programmes like pen licences on their self-esteem and confidence. This can affect their motivation to engage in handwriting tasks.
  • Try different positions for handwriting such as standing, working at a vertical plane, sitting on a therapy ball or using a move and sit cushion.
  • Movement breaks can improve concentration and attention and give the hand a break from writing. Consider these for longer writing tasks.

 

Last reviewed September 2025