Category Archives: How to Improve Handwriting Skills

Maximize Handwriting Practice with Time-Saving Pangrams

Discover the benefits of using pangrams for handwriting practice. Free printable worksheets help kids master all 26 letters—perfect for teachers, parents & OTs!

New Year, New Skills: How to Build Strong Pre-Writing Foundations

Learn how to build strong pre-writing foundations in preschool and kindergarten using OT-approved strategies that support handwriting success.

Fun Friends: The Ultimate Pre-Writing Tool

If you’ve ever worked with little ones who just don’t love paper and pencil tasks or pre-writing activities, you’re not alone. As a pediatric occupational therapist, I’ve spent years searching for ways to make handwriting prep more engaging, more meaningful — and most of all, more fun. That’s exactly why I created Fun Friends Pre-Writing Buddies, the newest addition to the Fun Strokes Pre-writing Program lineup.

10 Creative Preschool Pre-Writing Activities | Fun Strokes Magnets

Are you searching for preschool fine motor activities, kindergarten readiness ideas, or fun ways to support pre-writing skills at home and in the classroom? The Fun Strokes Pre-Writing Magnet Set is already a favorite among preschool teachers, occupational therapists, and parents who want to make handwriting prep both hands-on and effective.
But here’s the best part — these magnets can do so much more! You can use them to create playful, skill-building activities that support fine motor development, visual-motor integration, and handwriting readiness in ways kids love.
Here are 10 creative and developmentally appropriate preschool activities that will breathe new life into your pre-writing sessions.

When Should My Child Be Able to Write Their Name? What You Should Know About Readiness First

s your child getting ready for kindergarten? You may be wondering: Should they already know how to write their name? While it’s a common milestone parents look for, name-writing success is less about age and more about readiness—and that starts with strong pre-writing and fine motor foundations.

🌸 Strengthen Pre-Writing Skills with This FREE Spring Poke Activity! 🌸

Spring has sprung—and so has a brand-new freebie perfect for building fine motor foundations in a fun and engaging way!

I’m excited to share the Spring Poke Activity, a FREE download featuring eight cheerful, skill-packed templates that kids will love. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or therapist, this activity makes supporting essential developmental skills through play easy.

What Is Visual Closure and Why Does It Matter for Handwriting & Fine Motor Skills?

As a pediatric occupational therapist, handwriting concerns are one of the most common reasons for referrals. When assessing these challenges, I often start by evaluating a child’s visual perceptual skills. Time and time again, I’ve noticed that difficulties with visual closure play a significant role in their struggles. 

How Do You Know When Tracing Is The Right Option?

As a pediatric OT,  I’m not a huge fan of tracing, sometimes, it’s a necessary step to help kids learn how to write. But how do you know when tracing is the right option? Tracing is most effective when…

Why You Should Use Caution When Having Kids Trace

Teaching children how to write is an exciting milestone, but not without challenges. Many parents and educators turn to tracing as a go-to method for teaching kids how to form letters and shapes. However, while tracing may seem straightforward and effective, it can sometimes do more harm than good—especially for children with poor visual motor skills.

Pre-writing Activities With Fun Strokes Pre-Writing Program 

In the world of pediatric occupational therapy, finding the right tools to support pre-writing skills is crucial. Fun Strokes is an engaging pre-writing program that uses magnets and worksheets to make learning pre-writing strokes fun! You can always find the Fun Strokes magnets in my Occupational Therapy bag. It’s a wonderful curriculum for pre-K teachers, special education teachers, or early elementary teachers who would like to teach pre-writing strokes and shapes.