Teachers all things pen related and also left handed advice needed for my y4 DS whose hand hurts when writing,what to send him to school with?

[Squarepebbles]

If anything.

DS is a very good reader,good speller,nice joined handwriting(not perfect but he is left handed,tails slanted etc) but hates writing and literacy lessons.As a result he drifts off,doesn't use his fab imagination or spelling.He says a lot of it is because his hand hurts.

So I'm going with it just to see.I'm aware he may be pulling a fast one but it's worth a try.

So I bought the a Stabilo left handed pen and he says his hand feels much better.They do a retractable pencil and left handed proper pencils with grooves.We had the Penagain to help with grip which worked but not comfy long term and too little now.

So if I was to send him in with one of the other 3 which would you prefer or do you use something better for this problem?

Not far off his pen license(although consistent size is the issue and considering his hand covers his writing not that easy to correct imvho)so pen might be an issue but he says others are allowed the Stabilo.

They use those Berol handwriting pens but wondering if the Stabilo might be better long term.

Also my right handers's use the Pilot Frixion erasable pens at home with lovely results.Which is the best pen for good handwriting results?

I would recommend
www.northumberlandcaretrust.nhs.uk/services/services-files/community-health-service-files/childrens-occupational-therapy/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20finemotor.pdf

Thing is he does a lot of fine motor things(Lego nut) it's grip when they write lots of writing which is going to get worse now as he gets older.

He ends up stretching his thumb out as his hand gets nearer the right hand side.Good grip bar stretched out thumb.

I think the pulling back motion must add to the aching too.

Does he press too hard? I have just bought my ds a light up pen, which stops lighting up with less pressure.

Don't think so,his writing can be hard to read too pale,can be too small.

Joined nicely.

Ds does the Speed Up warmup exercises for writing (I have done A LOT of research over the last 4 years!). It's hard to explain them without pictures. But first he does 10 ab holds on a chair. Then 10 arm circles from small to big and back again. Then half push-ups. Then wall pressups. Then thumb creeping. Then creepy crawlies. It all sounds a bit extreme but it's part of building up stamina for writing.

sorry wrong link

hopefully this is the correct one
www.northumberlandcaretrust.nhs.uk/services/services-files/community-health-service-files/childrens-occupational-therapy/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20First%20school.pdf

Yoropen means you can see what you write (also do pencils)

Thanks for all those recommendations.

Does anybody have a preference for pens/pencils in school.

Although DS loves the Stabilo (say it really helps re comfort)the ball can get stuck but he's not used to writing with a pen so it could be him.

Will look at the exercise advice but he's quite nippy,good co-ordination etc.Also wondering if by year 4 all his muscles would be quite well developed?

Can't work out why his hand aches.Are left handers's prone to achy hands?

There are a number of reasons why writing is uncomfortable, tiring or physically painful for some children.

Pencil grip is he gripping his pen/pencil very tightly
Poor finger and hand strength
Excessive pressure when writing
Wrist mobility
Shoulder girdle stability
Upper body stability

or a combination of some or all