writing aids

[Carmel206]

My DS is in Year 2. His teacher has mentioned that his writing is very slow. My DS really does not enjoy writing - he is really good at making up the story/poem etc but has difficulty getting it on paper. We do practice ( a little!) I think it is such slow progress he gets frustrated and gives up. Recently he was sent home with a triangluar shaped pencil -which he seems to find slightly easier to use. Does anyone know where I can get more of these? Any ideas as to how I can help him with this - I am a bit reluctant to make him do writing every night- I think it will take all the joy out of learning and put him off school? Any ideas?

You could look at some of the things on www.brightminds.co.uk or www.littlesheep-learning.co.uk

I think it was little sheep with the pencils, but haven't checked.

Thank you - I'll look through them now.

I found pencil grips to be helpful for children having difficulty with writing. You can get prism shaped ones that slide onto the pencil, but I found that the slightly softer ones (such as the Tri-go in little sheep) worked better.

special direct have loads of grips etc too. but elc used to sell triangular pencils.

the stabilo s'move easy also comes in left or right handed, pen or pencil. worth a try.

if this issue persists. you might want to get him referred for an ot assessment - sometimes an angled writing ramp or similar can also be helpful - and they can look at his actual pencil grip etc and try and spot any issues.

there are tons of writing programmes too - mostly used for children with poor writing rather than slow writing, but again, an ot would know which if any would be helpful (there are some really funky ones to music which are designed for speed and fluidity )

this is really helpful. Would his teacher know if we needed to go to an OT or is that something I should sort out myself?

if his teacher thinks his writing is considerably behind his peers she might suggest ot, depends how hot she is really. you could ask her, or ask her if the senco might have some ideas (thus sort of flagging up with her that you understand the 'extra help' hierarchy )

with that nudge she will probably consider whether it is necessary, even if she hasn't thought of it before. if she's suggesting triangular pencils though, at least you know she realises there is an issue and is trying to solve, so a good sign.

tbh you can use the 'we are keen to get this sorted before juniors when the written work ramps up a bit' line. pro-active and all that.