Why Handwriting Still Matters in a Digital World 🤖
Welcome back to the Koi Wellness blog! I’m Aya Porté, an occupational therapist (OT) dedicated to supporting cross-cultural families and helping children develop the foundational skills they need to thrive.
With the rise of digital tools, many parents and educators wonder: Does handwriting still matter? In a world where children type on tablets before they even hold a pencil, handwriting might seem like an outdated skill. But research—and real-life experience—tells us otherwise.
Handwriting is more than just forming letters on paper. It plays a crucial role in cognitive development, motor coordination, and self-expression. And for many children, especially those navigating multiple languages and cultures, mastering handwriting can be a bridge to stronger communication, confidence, and academic success.
Today, let’s explore why handwriting still matters and how OT strategies can support its development.
Handwriting: More Than Just a School Skill
Handwriting is often viewed as a school-based skill, necessary only for taking notes or completing worksheets. But in reality, it affects many areas of life beyond the classroom.
Cognitive Development – Writing by hand strengthens memory and comprehension. Studies show that students who take notes by hand retain information better than those who type. The act of forming letters engages multiple brain areas, reinforcing learning and critical thinking.
Fine Motor & Visual-Motor Skills – Proper handwriting development requires coordination between small hand muscles, visual tracking, and spatial awareness. These foundational skills support other essential activities, from tying shoelaces to using utensils.
Motor planning and praxis skills —This is a very fancy term for turning your idea into action. This includes planning the movements needed to form letters, coordinating hand and finger movements, and successfully writing on paper (with the right letter casing, letter size, writing on the line…the list goes on and on!)
Self-Expression & Confidence – Handwriting allows children to express thoughts and ideas independently. When kids struggle with writing, it can impact their confidence and willingness to engage in learning.
Cultural & Multilingual Considerations – For multilingual children, handwriting plays a unique role in language development. Writing in different scripts or adjusting to new letter formations helps reinforce literacy and fluency across languages.
Lifelong Learning & Adaptability – Handwriting also lays the foundation for future learning. Children who develop strong handwriting skills are more easily able to adapt to different writing tools and modalities—including assistive technologies. Tools like the “alternative pencil,” designed for students with complex communication needs, offer a great example of how handwriting concepts can be transferred to digital and adaptive formats. More on the alternative pencil here.
The OT Perspective: Why Some Kids Struggle with Handwriting
If handwriting is so important, why do so many children find it challenging? As an OT, I work with kids who struggle with:
✋ Fine Motor Weakness – Difficulty holding a pencil properly, pressing too hard, or experiencing hand fatigue.
👀 Visual Perception Challenges – Trouble recognizing letter shapes, spacing words, or aligning writing on a page.
🧠 Processing Speed & Working Memory – Some kids struggle to recall letter formations quickly, making writing slow and frustrating.
🤲 Postural & Core Stability Issues – A weak core or poor sitting posture can make writing uncomfortable or unsustainable.
🚀 Sensory Processing Differences – Some children are over-responsive to pencil pressure or under-responsive to their writing movements, affecting their output.
Recognizing these challenges early allows us to implement strategies that support skill development and prevent frustration.
OT Strategies to Support Handwriting Development
As parents and educators, we can help children develop strong handwriting habits with the right approach. Here are some OT-recommended strategies:
1. Build Hand Strength Through Play
Before a child masters handwriting, they need strong hands! Activities like:
Using playdough or clay to strengthen finger muscles
Playing with tweezers, clothespins, or small building blocks
Encouraging crumpling paper into balls to build grip strength
2. Set Up an Ergonomic Writing Space
Proper posture plays a key role in handwriting success. A few simple adjustments can make a big difference:
Feet flat on the floor (or on a footrest if needed)
Knees and hips bent at 90 degrees for stability
Paper positioned at an appropriate angle for their dominant hand (reference image from LWT)
3. Use Multi-Sensory Approaches
For children who struggle with letter formation, incorporating multi-sensory methods can enhance learning:
Writing letters in the air or tracing in sand, rice or shaving cream
Using textured surfaces like sandpaper to reinforce letter shapes
Trying thicker pencils or adaptive grips to support hand positioning
4. Encourage Alternative Writing Positions
Sitting at a desk isn’t the only way to practice handwriting. Some children benefit from:
Writing on a vertical surface like a whiteboard (which strengthens wrist stability)
Writing while lying on their stomach (which encourages core activation)
5. Keep It Fun and Low-Stress
Handwriting can be frustrating for kids who struggle, so turning practice into a game can increase motivation. Try:
Writing letters in a scavenger hunt format
Drawing with sidewalk chalk to make writing more engaging
Giving short, meaningful writing prompts rather than repetitive drills
6. Explore Alternative Writing Tools
Not every child will use a traditional pencil in the same way. Some may benefit from tools like the “alternative pencil,” which enables non-traditional access to writing for students with physical or communication challenges. Tools like this bridge the gap between motor limitations and written expression, reinforcing the idea that handwriting is about communication—not just penmanship. Learn more in this podcast episode.
Handwriting & the Digital World: A Balanced Approach
Does this mean we should avoid typing and digital tools? Absolutely not. Technology has many benefits, especially for children who struggle with handwriting. Speech-to-text, tablet styluses, and adaptive keyboards can be valuable tools.
However, balance is key. Just as we wouldn’t expect a child to type before they learn to read, we shouldn’t bypass handwriting altogether. Strong handwriting supports literacy, executive functioning, and overall learning—even in a tech-forward world. And when children need alternatives, tools like the alternative pencil offer inclusive options rooted in foundational handwriting knowledge.
Investing in the Basics for Lifelong Success
Handwriting is more than a school requirement—it’s a fundamental skill that strengthens cognitive, motor, and communication abilities. By supporting children with the right strategies, we can help them build confidence and independence in both learning and life.
If your child is struggling with handwriting, know that you’re not alone. As an OT, I specialize in helping families create individualized strategies to support handwriting and motor skill development.
Want to learn more? Let’s connect! Follow Koi Wellness on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook, or schedule a consultation, here, to explore personalized support for your child.
Let’s continue to empower every child—one letter at a time.