How can I help 9yos illegible handwriting?

[mamof2boyos]

Does anyone have any tips or resources to help with my 9 year olds handwriting? It's practically impossible to read what he writes, he absolutely hates writing/colouring/drawing etc but he's starting year 5 and I'm getting worried about it. His school always told me it would come with time and not to worry but honestly it's only gotten worse.

Even when he thinks it's neat it's really truly not. I thought maybe there might be useful YouTube videos he can watch and learn with but I can't find anything?

Thanks for any help!

One of the main things that got ds diagnosed with dyspraxia was illegible handwriting. How is he with bike riding/shoe laces/knife and fork? It would be the first thing I would consider and the answer is using a laptop. I'd get him to learn to type rather than trying to get him to write neatly. DS found the BBC videos really good at that age.
www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z3c6tfr

I thought dyspraxia too. I'd see if you can get him assessed. My ds is using a laptop for his GCSEs which has made a big difference.

I saw the thread title and immediately thought dyspraxia too! My boy, now an adult, has dyspraxia and the first thing which rang alarm bells was writing. Also lots of other signs like being slow to learn to ride a bike or swim, tie his shoelaces and lots of disorganisation.

I would push school for a formal assessment. If he is dyspraxic, then forcing him to practice writing will just make both of you cross and miserable - speaking from experience here. Writing is not as important as it once was, DS did all his school exams and homework on computer. The sooner you get a diagnosis the better though, so set the ball rolling.

He's fine with a bike but struggles with a knife and fork and laces too, I thought it was more an aversion to fine motor skill sort of activities (if that's the right phrasing) I've not heard of dyspraxia - I'll have a look into it thank you x

Get him to play with lego, playdough and small fiddly toys. Bike/scooter riding and climbing also really help to build up muscle strength in hands and fingers needed for handwriting. This will help and is easier to persuade children to do than handwriting practice.