Your Cart is Empty
Welcome to another episode with your hosts, Rachel and Jessica!
Today we are breaking down the skills necessary for efficient handwriting, and then giving you our favorite sensory, OT-based strategies and hacks for improving handwriting skills!
The title says 10, but let’s be real - we’re probably going to give you more than that!
Stay tuned to the end where we answer two listener questions!
Sensory Processing Disorder Training
Fine Motor Skills Activity Course!
# 17 - Handwriting and Fine Motor Skills
# 93 - Self-Injurious Behavior with Danielle
# 149 - The Palmar Grasp Reflex
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram
Article: Efficacy of Hand Arch Training in Hemiplegic CP Children
Writing Utensil Grasp Development - with Visuals
Fine Motor Tools from Lakeshore
Fox in the Box - Positional Word Activity Set - Amazon
Before a child can master handwriting, they must develop a strong sensory and motor foundation. This includes:
Fine motor skills (e.g., pincer grasp, finger isolation).
Gross motor stability (shoulder, core, and posture control).
Visual-motor integration (eye-hand coordination).
Sensory processing (especially tactile and proprioceptive input).
Occupational therapy (OT) strategies use sensory activities to strengthen these skills and create long-term success with handwriting.
Crawling on hands and knees helps build:
Open-hand weight bearing.
Shoulder and trunk strength.
Visual tracking and hand-eye coordination.
Crawling is foundational for fine motor development—encourage tunnels, ramps, and climbing over couch cushions.
By 10–12 months, babies start using their thumb and index finger to pick up small objects. Try:
Picking up Cheerios, pompoms, or pegs.
Putting objects into containers or cardboard tubes.
Preload spoons and encourage messy eating.
Add utensils to sensory bins (e.g., scooping beans).
Use baby-safe Play-Doh for pinching, rolling, and pressing.
Introduce writing strokes in fun, no-pressure ways:
Draw in shaving cream, sand, or applesauce.
Use Q-tips, paintbrushes, or fingers.
Practice vertical, horizontal, and circular lines.
Use easels or tape paper to the wall:
Boosts shoulder stability and proper wrist positioning.
Encourages natural tripod grasp.
Scissor-style tongs help:
Strengthen finger muscles.
Promote pincer grasp and palm stability.
OT Tip:Look for fingertip use—open palms help develop palmar arches.
Use terms like “over,” “under,” “left,” and “right” during:
Toy clean-up.
Obstacle courses.
Movement games.
These words help children later understand letter formation and writing direction.
Weightbearing on arms strengthens shoulders, wrists, and grip. Teach children to wrap their thumbs around bars to activate proper thumb abduction.
Use:
TheraPutty or high-resistance Play-Doh.
Hide beads to pull out and string.
Pinch “snakes” to build finger control.
Have your child touch each fingertip to their thumb with bent joints to:
Improve finger isolation.
Help integrate retained primitive reflexes.
Try:
Wringing washcloths or sponges.
Carrying groceries.
Vacuuming or using a Swiffer.
These daily tasks support fine motor coordination and bilateral skills.
LEGO®, sewing, crafting, or journaling.
Sports that build grip strength, like rock climbing or baseball.
Hold a towel taut between two players to launch and catch water balloons. It’s a fun way to build:
Grip strength.
Proximal control.
Teamwork and motor planning.
Use Ziploc bags and containers to build opening/closing strength.
Promote independence during mealtime, play, and clean-up.
Encourage self-directed activities with tools like kid-safe scissors, chopsticks, and Play-Doh kits.
Improving handwriting isn’t about drilling worksheets. It’s about building thecore, sensory, and motor foundations that make writing feel easier and more natural for kids.
At Harkla, we believe every child deserves a joyful, supported path to success. Small daily actions—like playing with Play-Doh or crawling through a tunnel—can make a big difference in the long run.
BORING, BUT NECESSARY LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
While we make every effort to share correct information, we are still learning. We will double check all of our facts but realize that medicine is a constantly changing science and art. One doctor / therapist may have a different way of doing things from another. We are simply presenting our views and opinions on how to address common sensory challenges, health related difficulties and what we have found to be beneficial that will be as evidenced based as possible. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or your children. Consult your child’s pediatrician/ therapist for any medical issues that he or she may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Rachel Harrington, Harkla, Jessica Hill, or any guests or contributors to the podcast, as well as any employees, associates, or affiliates of Harkla, be responsible for damages arising from use of the podcast.
Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.
This podcast should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in a legal sense or as a basis for expert witness testimony. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on the podcast.
Comments will be approved before showing up.
