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Primary education

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DS2's SLOW handwriting is holding him back...

27 replies

Whippet · 22/01/2010 12:35

I'm sure this must be a common complaint for 'young' summer-born boys.

I still find it frustratingly painful to watch DS2 (7.5) write. It still looks like such a struggle for him. His pencil grip isn't ideal (he brings his thumb up over his finger, rather than 'pincer grip') and although he is using pencil grips it doesn't seem to have helped that much.

He presses hard, and although his is mostly doing joined up writing it is still painfully slow.

He is good at Maths, but falling behind in English, and I'm sure it's because he physically CAN'T write fast, not because he doesn't have the ideas etc.

His teacher last year weas very helpful - was happy to let him use pencil grips etc, but said it was very hard to change a pencil grip once a child got into 'bad habits' (I think this was a snipe at the fact that he oved from another school at the end of Reception .

his teacher this year has said he needs to 'speed up' but hasn't offered many practical solutions .

Just wondering if anyone has had this experience and has any advice?

Does it really 'just happen' as they get older/ stronger muscles, or should I be maing him do more practice? (Hard to see how, as he already is very tired after school, and is very resistent to me giving him 'homework' !)

OP posts:
mrz · 24/01/2010 17:34

I think pencil grip is important but children need to have the muscle development to hold a pencil effectively (and without pain)
I get my Pen Again pencils from www.gbapen.co.uk/categories.aspx?make=PENAGAIN and I also use www.penheaven.co.uk/94_Yoropen-Mini-Pencil.html as they are easier to make a mark with and the child can see what they are writing.
The only problem I have is stopping them twisting the leas right out...

Toffeepopple · 24/01/2010 21:47

Our school have an intervention programme for children whose writing is poor due to bad grip, etc. My son is in it and LOVES it and has really come on. They do all sorts of finger, hand and arm exercises and string games, etc.

We were encouraged to do all the usual lego, etc, and also now he is older knitting and origami type things as well.

They started those on the programme off with these, which did really help improve his grip:
www.leftshoponline.co.uk/grippy-pencil-grips-moulded.ir?cName=can-be-used-right-or-left-handed

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