Common Handwriting Struggles in Kids and How to Support Them
Reflections from a Third-Culture OT and What Parents Can Do Today
Hi friends, Aya here—pediatric occupational therapist, third-culture kid, and founder of Koi Wellness.
Let’s talk about handwriting.
Not the perfect cursive or neatly printed name tags—but the real-life handwriting challenges so many children (especially neurodivergent, multilingual, or globally mobile kids) face. From reversed letters and messy spacing to tight pencil grips and full-on frustration, handwriting can be one of the first areas where a child—and their parent—starts to feel like something isn’t quite clicking.
Some good news? With the right support, most handwriting challenges can be addressed. And often, we don’t need more worksheets—we need more understanding.
Why Handwriting Is About More Than Just Pen to Paper
Handwriting is a lifelong skill that supports not just academics, but communication, self-expression, and confidence. Yet it’s often taken for granted until a child begins to fall behind.
If your child is struggling with handwriting, you might notice:
They avoid writing assignments or tire quickly
Their pencil grip looks awkward or tense
Their letters are uneven, inconsistent, or reversed
They put so much energy into writing, it’s hard to focus on what they’re saying
These aren’t just “bad habits.” They’re usually signs that underlying motor or sensory needs haven’t been addressed.
What’s Really Going On?
As an OT, I look beyond the paper. I ask:
Does the child have the core strength to sit upright while writing?
Are their fingers and hands strong enough to grip the pencil comfortably?
Are they using a grasp that allows movement, or one that causes fatigue?
Are they able to visually track, copy, and space their letters effectively?
And just as importantly: Is this child trying to communicate in more than one language or across cultures? That experience can affect everything from letter formation to how confident they feel writing in different settings.
Practical Tips to Support Handwriting at Home
Here are a few strategies I recommend to families:
🖍 Start with Strength
Use play-based activities to build hand muscles—like squeezing playdough, peeling stickers, or using tongs to pick up objects.
✏️ Rethink the Grip
A “perfect” tripod grip isn’t always necessary—but movement is. Try short pencils, broken crayons, or pencil grips that promote flexibility rather than force.
🪑 Check the Setup
Aim for 90-90-90 posture (hips, knees, ankles). Use a footrest, firm chair, or adjustable table. The best writing posture is the one that supports your child.
📄 Mix Up the Surface
Let kids write while lying on their tummy, standing at an easel, or using a slanted board. Different positions activate different muscles.
🧘♀️ Warm Up First
Tendon-gliding hand exercises or “pencil walks” up and down the shaft of the pencil help prep small muscles for writing.
When to Ask for Help
You don’t need to wait for a diagnosis, or wait until things feel “bad enough” to get support.
Some red flags that may indicate your child could benefit from OT:
Consistent hand fatigue or pain while writing
Significant difference between verbal and written expression
Letter reversals persisting past Grade 2
Writing is difficult to read, even to them
Writing delays are affecting their confidence or participation in school
New: Parent Consultations Now Open
If you’ve ever felt unsure whether your child’s handwriting is “normal” or if they just need a little extra help, you’re not alone. Many of the families I work with are navigating this in a language or system that doesn’t quite reflect their lived experience.
That’s why I created Virtual Parent Consultations—one-on-one sessions where we look at your child’s current challenges and walk through real, personalized strategies. These are low-pressure, supportive, and designed for cross-cultural families who want clarity and confidence—without jumping straight into therapy.
📩 Learn more and book a session here, or email me at aya@koiwellness.org.
Final Thoughts
As a third-culture kid, I know how easy it is to feel out of sync—like the systems you’re in don’t fully see your child. But here’s the truth: your child doesn’t need to be “fixed.” They need to be understood.
Handwriting challenges are often just the surface. What matters is finding tools and rhythms that fit who your child is—and who your family is. That’s the heart of what we do at Koi Wellness.