Is Your Child Struggling with Writing? Signs It's Not Just About Practice

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Few children have perfect handwriting in the beginning. This is a normal part of development, and most children will improve as they gain fine motor skills. In some cases, however, children who struggle with writing may have an underlying issue that will need to be addressed.

Writing Readiness in Children

The first thing to consider when deciding whether children are truly struggling or require more handwriting practice is how ready they are to begin writing.

Signs that children have the necessary skills and coordination to begin working with handwriting worksheets:

Pencil Grip – Can they hold and manipulate a crayon or pencil properly? Can they use all fingers to move the pencil, or do they hold it with the entire hand?
Coordination – Can they use both hands to write? Can they hold the paper steady with one hand and write with the other?
Concentration – Can they sit still and focus long enough to practice handwriting?
Dexterity – Can they pick up and manipulate small items, such as marbles or paperclips?

Children who struggle to do any of these things may not be ready for a handwriting curriculum.

Signs a Child Needs More Than Handwriting Practice

Children who seem otherwise ready to begin handwriting but are still struggling may have something deeper going on. While it’s important to remember that every child will learn at their own pace, early intervention is crucial to help children succeed if there is an underlying issue, such as a learning disability.

Some of the most common issues children display with handwriting include:

Poor pencil grip
Inconsistent letter sizing
Inconsistent letter spacing
Mirrored letters written backwards
Hand pain while writing
Slow writing that requires a lot of effort
Illegible writing

Causes of Handwriting Difficulties

Several factors could be at play when it comes to poor handwriting for kids of any age. For some children, more handwriting practice is all that will be needed. This is especially true for very young children who are just getting started. In other cases, an underlying disability or physical issue may be to blame. Some of the most common include:

Fine Motor Skill Issues

Children who find it difficult to hold and manipulate small objects, such as pencils and crayons, will often find handwriting worksheets cumbersome. They may have problems forming letters properly, or their hands may cramp or become sore during writing assignments. This can be related to immature fine motor skill development, or it can be a sign of motor dysgraphia. Physical or occupational therapy may help get kids back on track. A medical evaluation should be done first, however, to rule out any physical causes.

Attention Deficits or Impulsivity

In some cases, children may find it difficult to sit still and engage in writing practice. This can lead to rushing through handwriting practice and sloppy work. While very young children may struggle to maintain attention on schoolwork, this is a normal part of development. However, if the issue persists, it may indicate an underlying condition, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, or another learning disability. With proper therapy and, in some cases, medication, these children can often improve their handwriting difficulties.

Dysgraphia

This is a term to describe someone who has a learning disability related to writing words and numbers. It can be caused by several underlying issues, and there are several different types.

These include:

Motor Dysgraphia – Fine motor skills are not developed enough to successfully manipulate a writing utensil.
Dyslexic Dysgraphia – There is a disconnect affecting recall of how words are supposed to look and how they are spelled on the page.
Spatial Dysgraphia – Impaired spatial awareness causes children to write words and numbers that are improperly spaced on the page.
Phonological Dysgraphia – Children may have trouble relating how a word sounds to how it is spelled.
Lexical Dysgraphia – Children may have trouble with spelling, especially with new words they have not yet encountered.

How to Help

Helping a child who is struggling to write will depend on the underlying cause. Additional handwriting practice, whether during schooling or at home, can be beneficial when implemented in a way that suits their learning abilities. Many children require a specialized handwriting curriculum targeted toward their needs. Working with a skilled occupational therapist can help with creating a plan tailored to each individual child.

By Tiffany Young
who can usually be found watching her favorite Twitch streamers, playing Breath of the Wild, or binging the latest Netflix original. She enjoys writing about everything from vintage vinyls to nerdy collectibles.

Member since March, 2024
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