Why Your Child Should Use a Weighted Pencil

What do weighted Pencils Do? Who do they help?

Does your child struggle with handwriting tasks? Is your child’s handwriting often messy and hard to read? One possible solution may be a weighted pencil. 

A weighted pencil can help a variety of children, including children with both motor and sensory challenges. A child with ataxia may shake or lose control over the pencil while writing, resulting in difficult–to–read work. 

This child likely becomes frustrated easily with writing tasks or has limited confidence. Weighted pencils provide stability and can help give the child more control while writing. 

This works similarly for a child with sensory challenges. If a child has poor body awareness, he may press too hard on the pencil or hold it with his entire hand or fist in order to get the sensory feedback from the pencil.

Adding the weight provides extra input to the hand, allowing the child to grasp the pencil with less force as well as use a more appropriate tripod pencil grasp. This provides the child with more control while writing and sets him or her up for greater success. 

How To Add Weight

There are multiple ways to add weight to pencils. Some pencils themselves are made to be heavier. You can also add pencil weights to any regular pencil or you can add weight to a pencil by putting coupling nuts on the pencil. 

It’s also possible to add weight by sticking playdoh or putty around the end of the pencil. The position of the weight or coupling nut will also have an effect on the feel of the pencil. Play around with these ideas at home and see what works best for your child! Sometimes simple adaptations, such as a coupling nut or playdoh, can make a big difference.  

Questions or Concerns?

Do you continue to have concerns regarding your child’s handwriting? Have more questions about the use of a weighted pencil? Are there any other fine motor concerns you have about your son or daughter?

It may be beneficial to set up an evaluation and have a consultation with a pediatric occupational therapist at Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center. 

Call us today to speak to one of our handwriting experts at 773-687-9241!