Why We Like It: Spacing words properly is another key part of improving handwriting. A “spaceman” helps kids measure the proper amount of distance between each word. You get 30 in a set, so you should have enough for every student.

Meet with the school psychologist. Some are trained in testing for learning disabilities, and if your child goes to a public school, this testing may be free. Why We Like It: For kids who have trouble gripping slim pencils or pens, a big cushioned aid like this can be really helpful. It’s also terrific for those who have a habit of holding the utensil so hard their hand cramps. Real Review: “My son has issues with attention and fine motor control. He really struggled to write. As an occupational therapist, I know finger grips can help and these improved his writing by 50%. I love the step down in support with the different types. Teacher noticed too and is also thrilled.” Real Review: “My son is in 4th grade and was struggling with good penmanship. Most of his stuff you couldn’t read. Not sure how his teacher graded half his papers! We got him these pencil grips and it has helped TREMENDOUSLY!”The three-part 'Left Hand Writing Skills' series of books by Mark & Heather Stewart takes the student through the four critical components mentioned above and help the left-handed student move from basic lettering formation through to joining letters and fluent handwriting. Their complementary My Write Well Mat is a fantastic aid to remind students of the basic components to good handwriting so that good writing habits are formed early. Real Review: “My Kindergartner had a weird thumb wrap in her pencil grasp. She knew what a proper finger placement looked like, and could show me, but her “go to” was the weird grasp that she had developed. Just a few months of using these pencil grips, and the weird thumb thing has almost entirely gone away.” Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. At this age, your child knows everything and parents know nothing, unless the child can't find the answer (we know this from experience!). As a parent, it is frustrating to see your child's independence grow but be limited by the tools they are using. By now, they should already be using their left-handed scissors, but they may need to progress from the ones they used in Kindergarten! A pair for school and a pair for home is still the best way to go. It's not too late to change the way he/she holds the pen to reduce cramping during the cramming for exams, but it's best done during quieter times before then. Why We Like It: Some kids may be reluctant to use pencil grips because they don’t want to look different from other kids. This cute style feels more like a reward instead.

Schools need to ensure that children can use specific equipment if necessary. Left-handed scissors and pencil sharpeners need to either be supplied by the school or else be allowed to be brought in from home. If brought in from home, make sure they are labelled and that the teacher knows your child has them - they tend not to go missing that way! A second set at home saves the hassle of forgetful children leaving them at home or at school when they are needed at the other (yes, we had that too!). Why We Like It: This grip has “wings” to help hold fingers in the right position. The center ridge keeps fingers from crossing over to the wrong side. If your child is having a difficult time establishing a mature pencil grasp or is using an inefficient grip — for example, one where the pencil extends up through the web between first and second fingers — a commercial pencil grip may help train the fingers into the desired position. Talk to your pediatrician. Your child’s doctor can do a neurological exam to see whether there’s a medical basis for the difficulty.Suitable for individuals of all abilities, but especially those with Autism, ADHD, developmental disabilities, dyspraxia, hypermobility, arthritis, and fine motor skills issues Real Review: “My 9 year old son has dysgraphia and he dreads writing. I dread reading it. The difference with his handwriting is night and day with these pencils. They fit well in his hand and helps make his writing more legible. We still have issues with spacing and sizing, but we can practice now. Great product!” Discuss your child's left-handedness with his/her teacher early in the year and explain what you have been doing to help your child. That way, the teacher can continue with the great work you have been doing at home. One problem that left handed writers have with gripping a pen is that they need to hold it high enough for them to see what they’re writing and to stop smudging. Another is gripping it too tightly which makes handwriting tense and increases cramp in the hand. Holding the pen about 3cm from the point with a relaxed grip should overcome these problems and enable left handed children to write more efficiently.