Category Archives: Handwriting

Access comprehensive handwriting improvement strategies that include tools, games, guided programs, and expert tips to enhance letter formation, spacing, writing fluency, and legibility for learners of all ages and abilities.

A Guide for Choosing the Right Try Rex® Pencil

Handwriting, , , ,

Selecting the right writing tool can make all the difference in a child’s handwriting development. Try Rex® Pencils are uniquely designed to promote an efficient tripod grasp and support fine motor development across multiple stages of learning. But with three different types—Jumbo, Intermediate, and Regular—how do you choose the best one for your student or child?

In this post, we’ll break down the differences between each pencil size, offer guidance on when and how to use them, and provide a typical progression path to support handwriting success in school and at home.

Understanding the Try Rex® Pencil Types

1. Jumbo Try Rex® Pencil

Best for: Beginners and students with low fine motor strength
Specs:

  • 3/8″ diameter for easier grasp
  • Large, soft primary lead
  • Includes eraser

The Jumbo Try Rex® Pencil is the largest of the three and ideal for early writers or those working on building foundational hand strength. Its thicker barrel helps small hands wrap around the pencil more easily, promoting a natural tripod grasp and reducing hand fatigue. The soft primary lead lays down a darker line with less pressure, which is helpful for children still learning to regulate force while writing.

Try it when:

  • A preschool or kindergarten student is just beginning to write
  • A child has weak grip strength or poor fine motor endurance

2. Intermediate Try Rex® Pencil

Best for: Students who have developed some grasp control but still need a larger writing tool
Specs:

  • Standard pencil barrel size
  • Large primary lead
  • No eraser

The Intermediate pencil serves as a transitional option between the Jumbo and Regular styles. It’s great for students who are making progress in grasp development but aren’t quite ready for a standard-size pencil with typical #2 lead. The larger lead still offers smooth, bold writing with less effort, which supports confidence in early writers.

Try it when:

  • A first or second grader is transitioning from a beginner pencil
  • A student benefits from the same soft lead but has improved grasp and hand control
  • Erasing is not a frequent need or is handled with a separate eraser

3. Regular Try Rex® Pencil

Best for: Confident writers ready for standard pencils
Specs:

  • Standard size (similar to a traditional #2 pencil)
  • Regular graphite lead
  • Includes eraser

The Regular Try Rex® Pencil provides all the benefits of the Try Rex® triangular design in a standard size. It’s ideal for students who have mastered an efficient tripod grasp and are building fluency and speed in handwriting. The standard lead mimics what is typically used in classrooms, making this pencil a perfect final step in the progression.

Try it when:

  • A student has strong pencil control and no longer needs a thicker barrel
  • You’re preparing a student for use of standard school supplies
  • The child prefers a pencil that “feels like what their peers are using”

Typical Pencil Progression Scenario

Here’s how a student might progress through the Try Rex® Pencil line:

  1. Start with the Jumbo in preschool or kindergarten to build hand strength and grasp foundations.
  2. Transition to the Intermediate in early elementary grades (grades 1–2) as the child gains more refined motor control.
  3. Move to the Regular by grades 2–3, once the child demonstrates consistent pencil grasp and writing stamina.

This progression is flexible. Some students may benefit from staying at a certain level longer, especially if they have motor planning challenges, developmental delays, or sensory integration needs. Occupational therapists and teachers should individualize based on each student’s motor skills and handwriting performance.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right pencil isn’t just about size—it’s about fit. Try Rex® Pencils are more than just writing tools; they are developmentally informed supports that help bridge the gap between motor skill acquisition and classroom success. Whether you’re a school-based OT, a teacher managing a diverse classroom, or a parent supporting writing at home, these pencils can help your students write with confidence and comfort.

Explore all three types of Try Rex® Pencils at Therapro and support every stage of handwriting development.

Teacher and two children coloring

Is Handwriting an Endangered Skill?

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There are numerous arguments surrounding the viewpoint that handwriting may become an endangered skill. Some common reasons include:

  • Digital Advancements: Some argue that typing skills are more relevant in today’s world than traditional handwriting.
  • Efficiency: The speed and efficiency of typing may outpace the time-consuming nature of handwriting.
  • Access to Information: Information readily available online may diminish the perceived importance of memorizing and manually transcribing information.
  • Emergence of Voice Recognition: As voice recognition technology advances, speaking into devices may replace the need for written communication.

It’s crucial to counterbalance these points by discussing the benefits of handwriting, including its role in fine motor skill development, cognitive processes, and potential impact on memory retention. Occupational therapists practitioners (OTPs) at Therapro advocate for a holistic approach that incorporates both traditional and digital skills.

The Significance of National Handwriting Day

On January 23rd, Therapro celebrates National Handwriting Day, coinciding with the birthday of John Hancock, one of America’s founding fathers known for his large, dramatic signature on the Declaration of Independence. Before the advent of computers, handwriting was essential for the communication of ideas. Teaching handwriting is a cornerstone of literacy, fostering letter recognition, and supporting the development of motor and visual memory skills. The act of handwriting has been thought to be important for memory retention and activating neural pathways associated with strong reading skills.

Evidence-Based Practices for Handwriting Development

The reasons OTPs, teachers, and parents value handwriting skills are grounded in evidence-based practices. Research suggests that interventions focusing on specific prerequisites, including core strength, postural stability, attention, fine motor coordination, visual perception, and visual-motor integration contribute to improved handwriting skills in children.

Learn to Build ABCs game

Activity-Based Practice:

Let's Do It write workbook for writing readiness

Use Handwriting Curricula that Include Sensorimotor Activities:

  • Handwriting curricula can be designed to include exercises that address sensory processing, fine motor skills, and perceptual-motor integration to support comprehensive handwriting development.
Here's How I Write

Self-Assessment Practice:

  • Engaging students in the assessment process can improve learning and motivation. Using a tool like Therapro’s Here’s How I Write (HHIW) assessment, students can be active participants in the process. With HHIW student’s self-assess aspects of handwriting like letter formation, spacing, and overall legibility.
  • This process promotes self-reflection and empowers students to take an active role in improving their handwriting skills.

Co-Teaching and Collaboration with Teachers:

  • OPTs and teachers can collaborate to implement strategies that address handwriting challenges in the classroom.
  • This may involve modifying assignments, providing accommodations/adaptations, or offering specialized support to individual students.
Slant board

Understanding the interactive relationship among motor, sensory processing, perceptual-motor, and language skills is crucial for effective handwriting development.

Recognizing the Enduring Value of Handwriting

In a world dominated by digital devices, handwriting is perceived by some as an endangered skill. The decline in traditional activities like handwriting due to smartphones and computers should not overshadow its enduring value. Handwriting is not just a functional skill; it is an integral part of a child’s holistic development, influencing cognitive, motor, and emotional aspects. Recognizing the importance of handwriting allows for more targeted and effective interventions based on evidence. Balancing technology with the preservation of traditional skills is key. National Handwriting Day on January 23rd serves as a reminder of its historical and cultural significance. As we embrace technology, let’s not overlook the unique benefits that handwriting brings to cognitive development and personal expression.

Tools For A Successful Handwriting Journey

The list below is just a few of the many tools and resources available from Therapro that provide handwriting support.

Cover of the book: Making It Legible: A Practical Guide to Making Handwriting Legible
Making It Legible: A Practical Guide to Making Handwriting Legible
Wikki Stix Alphabet and Number Cards
Wikki Stix Alphabet and Number Cards
Raised Line Paper Assortment
Raised Line Paper Assortment
Pre-Handwriting Fun Deck
Pre-Handwriting Fun Deck
Pencil and Grip Sampler II
Pencil and Grip Sampler II

For all of your handwriting needs be sure to visit Therapro.com!

Guest Blogger: Filomena Connor, MSOT – Retired

Novenops; game in small yellow tin

NOVENOPS! A Multitasking, Therapy Tool All-Star 

Games, Handwriting, , , , ,

When budgets are tight and space is limited it is essential that the tools in your therapy toolbelt are multitaskers! Games are a fun and engaging therapy tool that can be quickly set up to address many therapeutic AND educational goals. In this post we are going to take a look at all the ways the game NOVENOPS! can be adapted to meet a variety of therapeutic goals. 

What is NOVENOPS ?

NOVENOPS is a popular game that is easily adaptable to all ages and levels. Best of all Kids LOVE it! NOVENOPS is a card game designed to develop an understanding of the basic elements of grammar and sentence structure. NOVENOPS is an acronym created from the words NOun, VErb, NOun, and Phrase. It includes 52 cards, a heavy duty foldable game board and directions all in a portable tin box.

Basic Rules for Playing NOVENOPS!

  • Goal – be the first player to discard all of the cards from their hand
  • Time- about 15 minutes
  •  To Play: Unfold the enclosed “game board” and place it within reach of all players.
  •  After shuffling the game cards, deal 5 cards to each player and place the rest of the cards in the center of the board
  • The first player plays a noun card from their hand onto the Noun space on game board; if they do not have a Noun card, then they draw from the deck.
  • The next play is a Verb card, followed by a Noun card and finally a Phrase card.
  •  Repeat until one player has played all the cards in their hand. They are the “winner.”

For more information, check out the video below.

Modifying Game Play to Target Different Goals!

The Reluctant Writer With Handwriting Goals

Modifying NOVENOPS to meet handwriting goals can be done simply by adding a scoring element. Game play follows the basic rules of NOVENOPS with the following modifications:

  • Players all receive a ‘scoreboard’ at the start of game play. This scoreboard can be any writing paper that is appropriate for the player.
  • Playing a ‘Phrase’ card ends the round and whoever played that card is the winner of the round.
  • The winner of the round writes the sentence they created on their scoreboard as a means to keep score and then play moves to the next round.
  • Whoever has the most silly sentences written on their scoreboard at the end of game play, wins!  

The Reluctant Conversationalist With Expressive And/ Or Receptive Language Goals

Targeting expressive and/ or receptive language goals while playing NOVNOPS typically doesn’t involve changing game play rather changing the pace of the game.  Try this:

  • Set up NOVENOPS as described above and follow the basic instructions for game play.
  • After each round (when a phrase card has been played) take a moment to pause and reflect on what is happening in the sentence.  For example, players have created the silly sentence “The mother hid the dinosaur in the refrigerator”.
  • Target those language goals! These targets can be simple and concrete ‘wh’ questions like; “Who hid the dinosaur?”, “Where is the dinosaur”, “What happened?”, “How did the dinosaur get in the refrigerator”. Or they can involve more creative thinking; “Why do you think the mother hid the dinosaur in the refrigerator?”, “What do you think the dinosaur will eat while he is in the refrigerator?”. 

The Squirmer With Academic Based Goals 

Adding a movement component to seated tasks can do wonders for focus and attention.  One of the easiest ways to make NOVENOPS a movement game is to turn it into a type of obstacle course. Here’s how to do it:

  • Set up a course with three pathways
  • At the  end of each pathway stack three piles of NOVENOPS cards (a stack of noun cards, a stack of verb cards, and a stack of phrase cards).
  • Depending on the student’s abilities, create obstacles or motor challenges along the paths. For example a chair they have to wiggle under, a stack of books they may have to step over, or a winding path they may have to zig zag through.
  • Whoever creates the most sentences before time is up wins!
  • Pro Tip: This is a great activity idea for therapists doing push in sessions! 

A little creativity can go a long way in making the tools in your therapy toolbelt, multitasking superstars!