Pre-Writing Skills Before Learning to Write

Written by Lena Saab, Occupational Therapist.

Before children learn to write letters and words, they first need to develop pre-writing skills. These are the foundational skills that prepare little hands and bodies for successful handwriting. At Square One Therapy Hub in Kogarah, our occupational therapy team supports children across the St George area and wider Sydney to build these foundations through play-based therapy.

What are pre-writing skills?

Pre-writing skills help children control their hands, coordinate movements, and understand how to form shapes and patterns. Important pre-writing skills include:

• Hand and finger strength
• Hand-eye coordination
• Bilateral coordination (using both hands together)
• Postural strength and stability
• Visual motor skills
• Pencil control
• Forming simple shapes and lines

Why pre-writing skills are important

When children develop strong pre-writing skills, they are better prepared to learn handwriting at school. Without these foundations, writing can feel tiring, frustrating or overwhelming.

Strong pre-writing skills help children:

• Control a pencil more easily
• Form lines and shapes with accuracy
• Develop good posture while sitting at a table
• Build confidence when starting school tasks
• Enjoy drawing and early writing activities

For further reading on the role of occupational therapy in children's development, Occupational Therapy Australia has resources for families.

Signs your child may need support

• Difficulty holding crayons or pencils
• Avoiding drawing or colouring
• Using too much or too little pressure
• Trouble copying simple lines or shapes
• Becoming tired quickly during drawing tasks
• Slouching or leaning heavily on the table

How occupational therapy can help

Occupational therapists help children build the foundational skills needed for writing through fun, play-based activities. Therapy may focus on improving hand strength, posture, coordination, pencil control, and visual motor skills, tailored to each child's needs.

Simple ways to build pre-writing skills at home

• Playing with playdough or clay
• Drawing with crayons, chalk or markers
• Painting with brushes or sponges
• Using tweezers or tongs during play
• Cutting with scissors
• Tracing shapes in sand, rice or shaving foam
• Building with blocks or Lego
• Doing puzzles

These activities help build the strong foundations children need before formal handwriting begins.

Book an occupational therapy assessment

If you'd like to learn how our team can support your child's pre-writing skills, contact Square One Therapy Hub. We provide occupational therapy services from our Kogarah clinic and across Sydney through clinic, home and school-based therapies. NDIS welcome — self-managed and plan-managed participants supported.