Watch a video on how to start teaching your child to handwrite.
Handwriting skills, how to start, posture, paper and pencil grasp (video)
This is video 2 in a 6-part series.
What you will learn
In this video, you will learn about:
- thinking about posture when writing
- position of the paper your child writes on
- pencil grasp
Posture
The ideal posture when seated to write is that your child's
- hips, knees, and ankles should be at about 90 degrees
- feet should be flat on the floor or flat on a footrest
The table height should be around 2 inches below their elbow.
Seating can be flexible. There is no perfect position for them to sit in. Children often move while writing. Comfort and support matter more than strict angles.
Paper position
How your child’s paper sits on the table can make writing feel easier.
If your child uses their left hand, try tilting the paper so the top left corner is a little higher than the right.
If your child uses their right hand, tilt the paper the other way.
Sometimes, left-handed children feel more comfortable sitting on the left side of right-handed children. This can give both kids more space for their arms.
Every child is different, so feel free to experiment and see what works best for them.
Pencil grip
A dynamic tripod grasp is a good grasp for your child to use. This means holding the pencil with three fingers - the thumb, index finger, and middle finger.
Their hand should be rounded, their fingers curved and the tip contact should be between their fingers and the pencil. The pencil rests in the space between their thumb and index finger.
This way of holding a pen offers good control. But it’s not the only way to write well. The most important thing is that the child can write as easily as possible and that their writing is legible.
Other grasps your child can use
Other grasps many children use are:
- quadrupod grasp - this means using the thumb, index finger, middle finger and ring finger to hold the pencil
- adaptive tripod grasp
An adaptive tripod grasp is based on the tripod grasp. But the child uses their own, personal variation of finger placement to write more effectively.
There may be no need to change your child's grasp if they:
- feel comfortable writing
- do not feel tired
- do not fall too far behind and their writing pace works for them
- can write in a way that can be read easily
Helping your child
You can buy pencil grips in a stationery shop. These show your child where they should be holding the pencil.
Some children can grasp a pencil better when they use a shorter pencil or hold a triangular-shaped pencil.
Vertical or slanted surface
Writing on a vertical or slanted surface can help the hand rest in a more natural position. This often makes writing feel easier and less tiring. You might notice your child’s hand looks more comfortable in this position.
Examples of a vertical or slanted surface would be a whiteboard, easel, or a tilted board.
Steadier grasp
When your child learns to use an effective grasp, the ring finger and little finger can stick out sometimes while they write. This can make holding the pencil feel less steady.
One simple trick is to have your child hold a small item in those fingers while writing. For example, a sponge or cotton ball.
This helps them to tuck the pencil gently into the palm. It can makes the grip feel more secure. Some special pencils can also make holding the pencil easier. For example, the Stabilo training pencil.
Build strength in hands
Playing with small objects, squeezing clay or doing finger exercises can help build strength and control in the hands. These activities can help developing you child's hand skills. But they do not always lead to a better pencil grasp.
Write and draw
Your child needs to draw and write to improve how they hold and use a pen or pencil. Practise is important. If your child finds this hard, they may need extra support.
Occupational therapists often use fun, targeted activities to help children build the skills they need for writing.
This content was adapted from a video series by Enable Ireland.