How to help young kids with handwriting

Handwriting is a complex skill. Young kids have to hold their bodies in a certain way, apply the right pressure to the pencil, and hold the paper. Then they have to know how to start writing the letter, where it goes on the line, and so on.

It’s no wonder that young kids have trouble with handwriting. But there are plenty of ways to help, including activities to build fine motor skills and sensory experiences to help kids get a better “feel” for writing.

Using multiple senses gives kids more ways to connect with and remember what they’re learning. This is called multisensory learning, and it may be extra helpful for young kids. Writing letters in shaving cream or writing on textured surfaces are good examples.

Young kids can practice fine motor skills with fun activities. Try these six activities to build fine motor skills. 

You can also use a “spacekid” to help young kids who leave too much or little space between words. Get a wooden craft stick. Put it down on the table pointing straight up and down. Ask kids to draw a face on the top so it looks like a person. This is their spacekid. When they write, have them put their spacekid down at the end of a word. The next word starts on the other side of the stick.

Download a spacekid template and other printables to help with handwriting.

Young kids may not have mastered all of the skills they need for handwriting. Some kids take longer to develop these skills than others. And that’s OK.

If kids continue to have trouble with writing letters or words, they may be struggling with fine motor skills. These are skills that help us make movements using the small muscles in our hands and wrists. In other cases, poor handwriting can happen because kids are rushing through assignments. 

Learn more about messy handwriting in kids.