Supporting Handwriting Improvement for Older Children

One of the most common questions I am asked is how to support older children in improving their handwriting. Many parents and educators worry that once a child has developed a certain writing style, it is difficult to change. However, handwriting can improve at any age with the right techniques, encouragement, and regular practice. The key is to make it an engaging and rewarding experience rather than a frustrating one. Below, I’ve outlined a variety of practical strategies that can help your child strengthen their handwriting skills in a way that is both effective and enjoyable.

Strengthening Fine Motor Skills

Good handwriting starts with strong and controlled finger muscles. If a child struggles with fine motor control, writing can feel tiring and uncomfortable. Incorporating activities that build hand strength and dexterity can make a big difference. Here are some fun and simple exercises:

• Squeezing stress balls or therapy putty: These help to strengthen the hand and finger muscles needed for pencil control and endurance.

• Using tweezers in games: Picking up small objects with tweezers enhances precision and grip strength, both of which are essential for neat handwriting.

• Tracing shapes or letters on textured surfaces: This activity reinforces muscle memory, making letter formation more natural.

• Playing Jenga: The action of pulling out bricks from the tower and carefully balancing them back on top requires care, precision, and a steady hand. Not only is this game fun, but it also helps develop the fine motor skills essential for handwriting. (I’ve mentioned Jenga before because it can be adapted to support different areas of learning.)

Handwriting Warm-Up Exercises

If we were about to do physical exercise, we would start with a warm-up. The same principle applies to handwriting. Before beginning any writing task, taking a few minutes for handwriting warm-ups can help relax the hand, improve control, and prepare the fingers for sustained movement. Here are some quick exercises:

• Finger and wrist stretches: Simple stretches can reduce tension and prevent hand fatigue.

• Drawing patterns: Practising loops, swirls, and zigzags can develop fluid motion, making handwriting smoother.

• Tracing shapes: Tracing over simple shapes or letters can build coordination and improve letter formation.

Short, Fun Writing Activities

For many children, handwriting practice can feel repetitive and uninteresting. To keep them engaged, it helps to incorporate short, enjoyable writing tasks that allow them to practise without feeling like they are doing traditional “work.” Here are some creative ideas:

• Writing comic strips: Creating their own short stories in comic form encourages neatness and proper spacing between words.

• Copying song lyrics or favourite quotes: This can make handwriting practice feel more personal and enjoyable.

• Journaling: Encouraging your child to write about their day, interests, or favourite hobbies can make writing feel more meaningful.

Letter Formation and Consistency

Many older children struggle with letter formation and consistency, particularly if they have developed bad habits over time. Instead of trying to change everything at once, focusing on specific problem areas can be more effective.

• Maintaining consistent size and spacing: Lined paper can help guide the child in keeping letters the same size and evenly spaced.

• Practising difficult letters: Identifying which letters cause the most difficulty and practising them separately can lead to improvement. One way to do this is through games.

  • For example, when working with a dyslexic student, I used a game of noughts and crosses (tic-tac-toe) to help distinguish between commonly confused letters. Instead of Xs and Os, we each chose a tricky letter (e.g., f vs. w, or b vs. d). This was a quick and easy way to reinforce the correct formation of letters in a way that felt like a game, rather than rote learning.

• Creating word searches: Another fun way to work on letter formation is by creating word searches. I often have students make one for me while I create one for them. This forces them to focus on each individual letter, ensuring that every character is placed carefully and legibly within its own square. To maintain their interest, I recommend choosing a theme that excites them—whether that’s dinosaurs, space, or their favourite TV show.

Using Different Writing Tools

Sometimes, a small change in writing tools can have a huge impact on handwriting quality. Many children find certain pens or pencils easier to hold, leading to improved control and endurance. Some options to consider include:

• Comfortable grip pens or pencils: These are often available at a low cost and help reduce hand strain by promoting a more relaxed grip.

• Triangular pencils: Designed to encourage correct finger positioning, making it easier to hold the pencil steadily.

• Smooth-flowing pens: Gel pens or rollerball pens require less pressure, allowing for smoother, more effortless writing.

Slow and Steady Approach

Encourage your child to focus on quality over quantity when writing. Many children rush their work, leading to messy and illegible handwriting.

• Focusing on neatness rather than speed: It is better for a child to write five well-formed words than twenty rushed ones.

• Timed challenges: Using a timer can help balance neatness and speed over time, gradually improving handwriting fluency.

Visual and Kinaesthetic Aids

Many children benefit from visual and hands-on learning techniques. Using different mediums can help reinforce handwriting skills in engaging and memorable ways:

• Tracing letters in sand or on a whiteboard: Helps reinforce letter shapes using sensory input.

• Interactive handwriting apps: There are many apps that offer guided practice in a fun and engaging way.

Handwriting Games

Turning handwriting practice into a game can make it more enjoyable and less of a chore. Some fun handwriting games include:

• Word search creation: As mentioned earlier, this encourages children to carefully form each letter.

• Sentence scrambles: Write out a sentence and then cut it into separate words, shuffling them into a random order. The child must then rearrange them into a correct sentence.

  • A variation of this is the Silly Sentences game: Start with simple sentences (e.g., “The brown bear slept quietly”) and cut them into separate words. Then mix them up to create funny and nonsensical new sentences (e.g., “The yellow bear sang slowly”). Some children love this game, while others may find it pointless—but for those who enjoy it, it’s a great way to reinforce sentence structure in a fun way.

• Timed writing challenges: Challenge the child to write as neatly as possible within a set time.

Positive Reinforcement

Encouraging small victories is key to keeping motivation high. Even tiny improvements in handwriting should be celebrated!

• Some children respond well to reward systems, where their efforts are acknowledged through small incentives.

• Keeping samples of their handwriting over time allows them to see their own progress, which can be incredibly motivating.

Consider Professional Support if Needed

If handwriting remains a significant challenge despite consistent practice, it may be worth seeking additional support:

• Occupational therapy: An occupational therapist can provide specialised strategies to help with fine motor skills and handwriting difficulties.

• Assistive technology: In some cases, learning to type may be a beneficial alternative for longer tasks, especially for children with dyslexia or dyspraxia.

Handwriting is a skill that improves with patience, practice, and the right approach. By incorporating engaging activities, using appropriate tools, and making the process enjoyable, you can help your child develop confidence and pride in their writing. If you have any questions or need further support, please don’t hesitate to reach out!