One thing a lot of children will grow to learn about is their ability when holding a pen. Handwriting will be a key part of all children’s development – they will see this as they get older when writing essays and developing analyses in future assignments. To help our children develop their handwriting here are some top tips to support them further.
Invest in a pen grip
While not very expensive, having one to hand means that your child can get used to the feeling on their hands by using it each day. A lot of pens can slip out of a child’s hand as they begin getting used to the feeling of holding one, which makes it easier to write in their own style. As it gets easier for them to write you can start to remove the pen grip, as it will then slowly ensure they can write without one. Getting too comfortable won’t let them develop their handwriting skills further than what they are capable of by using the pen grip.
Use line spacers
It’s not exclusive to young children to see handwriting get bigger or smaller as we write words down, but it’s common to see as they use a pen and pencil more often. Lined paper really helps a child learn to use their writing books a lot easier, as well as the opportunity to see which letters are written bigger.
That also says a lot about how your child has picked up their handwriting skills in school. Line spacing helps your child see what each letter should look like in size in comparison to other letters a lot easier.
Use drawing to get them used to holding pens and pencils
Another way of helping a child get used to the feeling of holding different tools used for writing is to explore drawing and art at the same time. A lot of developing handwriting skills comes from how a pen is held, so we recommend exploring everything to do with art to help them along with the process. It’s a good time to see how your child enjoys other aspects that need them to pick up a pen, paintbrush or other similar tools. That helps your child feel a lot more confident with their general skills and the ability to write freely.
When children are practising, a tool that lets them correct mistakes quickly can make repeated practice less frustrating and more productive. An erasable option reduces the fear of making errors so kids can experiment with letter shapes, spacing and pressure without having to start again. Consider introducing an erasable pen designed for smooth writing and clean corrections, like the Pilot FriXion erasable pen, which many parents find useful for low-pressure practice. Using this alongside art activities keeps focus on exploration and gradual improvement rather than perfection.
Pinpoint particular areas for improvement
There will of course be more unique issues your child encounters, such as word alignment and spaces between words. Use particular issues with your child’s handwriting to help provide logical support for them as opposed to more generic advice. You could encourage your child to write with their fingers instead of with a pen or pencil, or painting letters with a brush. Make it more exciting for them to help with those particular areas they are struggling with.
Handwriting will vary from person to person, but it’s important to help children along the way with their development of skills. If you are ever in doubt about how you can help your child, get in touch with one of the best Boarding Schools in the UK for advice.