Getting a grip on handwriting… 14/08/2026

Many people associate Occupational Therapists (OT’s) as mainly working with handwriting challenges, so I thought it might be helpful to break down how we can help with this and the many different areas that we are actually working on beyond just handwriting skills!

Yes, we aim to address the underlying skills that can make handwriting efficient, legible, and comfortable. But we do this by not only focusing on letter formations, but by looking at the whole child to determine which skills are affecting their handwriting and then provide tailored interventions that best suits them.

Handwriting difficulties can happen for a variety of reasons. The different areas that OT’s look at to help with this include:

-fine motor skills (strength, endurance, dexterity, pencil control, in-hand manipulation)

-hand strength (strengthening hand muscles, increasing endurance and grip stability)

-pencil grasp (develop functional grip, reduce excessive pencil pressure, use adaptive grips if needed)

-visual motor integration (this means coordinating what the eyes see with how the hands move; copying and maintaining writing on the line)

-visual perceptual skills (recognising letters and numbers, positioning on the page, discriminate between similar letters)

-postural control and core strength (shoulder stability, bilateral coordination, upright sitting position)

-bilateral coordination (using both sides of the body effectively such as writing with one hand while the other stabilises the page)

-motor planning (remembering letter formations, develop automatic handwriting patterns)

-letter formations (correct starting points, appropriate spacing between letters and words, consistent letter sizing)

-writing speed and fluency (improving efficiency and legibility, improve writing endurance)

-sensory processing (improving body awareness, supporting regulation and attention for writing, helping children who are pressing too hard or too lightly)

-attention and executive functioning (maintaining focus, planning and organising before starting writing tasks, correcting neatness and errors)

What can OT’s do about this? We need to find the underlying cause to be able to help. Our interventions can include:

• Fine motor strengthening through games and play

• Pencil control and pre-writing activities

• Multi-sensory handwriting programs

• Letter formation and letter sizing practice

• Visual perception and visual motor activities

• Core and upper body strengthening

• Adaptations such as slant boards, pencil grips, or specialised paper

• Classroom and home strategies to support practice and repetition

The most important thing to remember is to make handwriting practice feel like fun! This is often the best way to build motivation and improve writing skills. Here are some play-based activities you can easily do at home:

-Rainbow Writing: Write one letter or word, then trace over it using different coloured pencils until it becomes a rainbow

-Write about something they like: They can practice writing all the names of their favourite characters in a TV show, movie or book

-Skittle Spacing: Add skittles or M&M’s between words to demonstrate spacing and they could have a treat for successful effort afterwards!

-Treasure Hunt Writing: Hide letter cards or words around the house. Find each one and write it on a recording sheet.

-Multi-sensory writing: These are fun and can help children to remember letter formations.

• Write letters in shaving foam.

• Trace letters in sand, rice or salt.

• Use finger paint on a tray.

• Forming letters with pipe cleaners or Playdoh.

• Build letters using LEGO bricks or craft sticks.

-Obstacle Course Writing: Complete a short obstacle (jump, crawl, balance), then write one word before doing the next obstacle.

-Handwriting Scavenger Hunt: Find something that..

• Starts with "B"

• Is soft

• Is round

• Is blue

-Restaurant or Café Play: they can create something fun such as menus, orders, shopping lists, recipes. They could play this with their friends.

Please contact our lovely team if you have any enquiries about this!

Sarah Duddy

Occupational Therapist

Developing fine motor skills to support function and fun!  22/06/26

As a parent or carer, I’m sure you’ve hear words like “fine motor development”, “strength” “pencil grip” and “dexterity” thrown around, but what does that actually mean? 

In this blog post we will explore necessary fine motor developmental milestones to support your child to engage in functional and fun everyday tasks that support their confidence and independence. 

What are fine motor skills? 

Fine motor skills refer to the small, precise movements of the hands and fingers that enable your child to engage in a meaningful and necessary everyday tasks (this includes playing with their favourite trucks, putting out their best outfit and mixing all of the the playdoh colours together!). 

These movements might seem simple to us, who complete them seamlessly each and every day, however, when we are first learning they are indeed complex! Fine motor movements encompass the coordination of muscles in the wrist, hands and fingers to hold, manipulate and play with objects. Having appropriate levels of strength and coordination throughout these muscles is essential to promote active participation and autonomy. Without these skills, which are often developed through play and repetition, children may find it challenging to engage in everyday tasks including dressing, eating, play and craft, requiring additional adult support. 

Elements of Fine Motor Development: 

Finger Isolation: refers to the ability to move each finger separately in controlled movements. As OTs we often look at pointer finger isolation to support with paediatric 

occupations including doing up buttons and zippers, using a pencil, and craft based activities. 

Pincer grip: the pincer grasp involves being able to oppose the thumb and index finger simultaneously. As OTs we often look at a child’s comfort and confidence to oppose their pincer grip strength to support their engagement in occupations including colouring, using cutlery and picking up items. 

Hand-Eye Coordination and Hand Dexterity: refers to a child’s ability to coordinate their movements seamlessly, taking in visual information and responding appropriately. This is evident throughout paediatric convolutions including play, drawing, ball sports, and group based anticipates. Within fine motor skills we also look at dexterity which refers to using different parts of our body in small, coordinated, intricate and isolated movements. 

Bilateral coordination: refers to a child’s capacity to use both sides of their body simultaneously. When looking at paediatric occupations, this fine motor element is essential for activities including using a knife and fork, safely using scissors, throwing and catching a ball and tying their shoelaces. 

In hand muscle strength: this refers to the overall strength and endurance of our hands, to grip, pinch, squeeze and grasp. 

Signs of difficulty with fine motor skills: 

• Difficulty picking up small objects 

• Limited strength through the hands and fingers 

• Challenges with dressing including buttons and shoelaces 

• Hand fatigue 

• Poor pencil grip and control 

• Increased frustration or reluctance to engage in table top motor tasks including drawing, craft, playdoh and painting. 

How can I support my child’s fine motor development: 

I’m sure you’re wondering, “What can I do to unlock my child’s development and support their fine motor skills?” Well the answer is simple and can be included throughout your day to day activities… PLAY! 

Play is a the primary occupation of children and is a major manner in which children develop the necessary skills to participate confidently within their occupations. Below we will list a range of fun and engaging play ideas that will work wonders in supporting key fine motor elements to have your little one strong and confident: 

• Blocks: encourages children to hold and move items within their hands supporting in hand muscle strength, dexterity and coordination. 

• Puzzles: supports children’s fine motor grasp and control, whilst also supporting coordination and motor planning. 

• Playdoh: encourages the use of the hand muscles, pincer grip and finger isolation. A fun and engaging activity. Playdoh can also be used to practice using cutlery in a safe and play based manner. 

• Theraputty: One of our favourite activities as OTs is Theraputty. Theraputty is a fantastic tactile resource which supports fine motor development. This activity is versatile and engaging and can be tailored to the unique presentation of your child. We love finding beads hidden in theraputty, pinching, rolling and squeezing to build pincer grip strength, finger isolation and dexterity. 

• Colouring: supports children to hold and manipulate the pencil within their hand. Supporting strength, pincer grip and dexterity. Grab out the markers and some paper and have some fun! 

• Cars: encourages children to grasp and coordinate small items. Whilst also targeting bilateral coordination. 

Building in your child’s interests into fine motor activities seeks to best support motivation and engagement. If you are unsure or have any questions about your child’s fine motor development, please don’t hesitate to reach out! 

Ilona Pruscino

Occupational Therapist