Various factors can contribute to a child's handwriting difficulties. These may include:

• Limited postural control and muscle tone
• Underdeveloped fine motor skills
• Challenges with bilateral integration (using both sides of the brain and body effectively)
• Problems in visual perception and visual-motor integration (coordinating eyes and hands)
• Difficulties with visual functions or tracking
• Cognitive challenges

• Awkward posture when writing
• Inconsistent use of a dominant hand
• Unusual or inefficient pencil grip
• Excessive or insufficient pressure on the pencil

• Trouble forming letters
• Challenges with letter size, alignment, and spacing
• Reversing letters or mirror writing

• Experiencing hand fatigue
• Slow and laborious writing
• Messy and illegible writing

Note: Some signs are common in pre-schoolers just beginning to write. Consultation with an occupational therapist is advisable for concerns.

• Provide a variety of drawing materials and surfaces for free expression and practice
• Encourage tactile experiences like tracing shapes or letters in textured materials
• Introduce activities that promote motor skills, such as mazes, dot-to-dot or crafting
• Offer toys that involve manipulating small parts to build fine motor skills
• Utilise play dough for activities that enhance hand and finger strength
• Incorporate playground activities for overall physical development
• Implement games that encourage pushing and pulling
• Engage in animal walk activities for full-body coordination
• Use games that involve spatial awareness and pattern replication