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My son says that writing hurts

7 replies

Hazelwood1 · 17/03/2025 10:26

Hello, for a while now my 8 year old says that it hurts to write with a pencil. I have tried a fatter pencil (one with the carved out bits to help grip) and one of those rubber things you put to help place the fingers better. Had anyone got other ideas- eg some kind of gel?

Thanks!

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Notagreatresult · 17/03/2025 10:27

He could have dyspraxia maybe?
Maybe an assessment for that would help.

24Dogcuddler · 17/03/2025 10:47

A band on his wrist or sloped writing desk might help. Speak to school as the SENCO may have some ideas.

If writing isn’t the focus could he use something like Dragon software at times (he speaks it types) or increased access to a laptop for writing.
Using other implements might help e.g. felt tips or wax crayons not pencil crayons for colouring.
It could be an issue with how much pressure he’s having to apply using a pencil.

SnowdaySewday · 17/03/2025 11:02

It may be the angle he is sitting at or positioning his paper, or how tightly he holds the pencil or how hard he is or isn’t pressing, rather than the actual grip.

Try activities/ games to develop fine motor skills - plastercine, playdough (try making conductive playdough if he thinks the regular stuff is too babyish) - loads of other ideas online - and weight-bearing through his arms - wheelbarrow games, monkey bars, cycling.

You don’t mention it, but it is relevant whether he is left-handed, as left-handers push the pencil, rather than pull it, which uses different muscles, and may change their hand angle to try to be able to see what they are writing.

Speak to the school Senco; they may have (or be able get) different options he could try - pencil grips, weighted pencils, angled writing slopes, finger gym exercises. If his difficulties are beyond what they can support with, they (or you, via GP - it depends on your local area) can refer him to an occupational therapist.

LIZS · 17/03/2025 11:07

He might have hypermobility and/or dyspraxia. Learning good posture and developing core strength to sit better, both feet flat on floor, writing slope(use A4 folder on its side) , fine motor skill activities will all help. An OT can help with ideas, as can swimming, climbing etc.

Hazelwood1 · 02/04/2025 16:31

Many thanks everyone for these amazingly helpful replies - lots to think about!

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Peridot1 · 02/04/2025 16:45

It’s pretty common especially with boys. DS had the same issue and his writing was dreadful. We were overseas at the time and the school had an occupational therapist on staff and she worked a lot with boys with similar issues.

She did lots of work with DS on fine motor skills and co-ordination.

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