“My hands hurt!”
“My hands are tired, I can’t write anymore.”
“I hate writing!”
“I can’t do my homework!”
Sound familiar?
When your child complains about sore hands during writing, it’s not just about physical discomfort in the moment. It’s about frustration, tears, homework battles, the impact on your relationship, and the growing anxiety around schoolwork.
Why “More Practice” Isn’t the Answer
The typical advice sounds familiar: “Practice more! Use playdoh! Try a pencil grip!”
Sadly, many adults don’t even believe kids when they say their hands hurt. They assume children are making excuses or trying to avoid work.
But here’s the truth: kids can — and often do — press so hard on their pencil that it genuinely causes pain.
When a child says their hands hurt, it’s not laziness. It’s their body literally crying out for help.
What’s Really Going On?
As a paediatric OT with 27 years of experience, I’ve seen that sore hands usually come down to three root causes:
1️⃣ Sensory processing differences
Your child presses hard because they’re seeking sensory feedback. Without that extra pressure, they can’t feel their hands well enough to control them.
2️⃣ Muscle weakness
They rely on their whole arm for strength because their core and shoulder muscles aren’t strong enough to stabilise their body first.
3️⃣ Pressure control difficulties
They struggle to adjust their force from hard to medium to soft — a crucial skill for comfortable writing.
The Cycle of Pain and Resistance
It’s heartbreaking when kids have sore hands and aren’t believed.
Sore hands → Resistance to writing → Less practice → Falling behind → Damaged confidence. 💔
But this cycle can be broken.
The Solution Isn’t More Writing Practice
Instead, kids need help developing the underlying skills that make writing physically comfortable:
✅ Building whole-body awareness so their body feels stable and their hands can sense where they are
✅ Strengthening core muscles to steady the body and support fine motor control
✅ Developing pressure control through playful activities (not tedious worksheets!)
When these foundations are in place, writing doesn’t feel painful anymore. It starts to feel possible.
3 Ways I Can Help with Writing
1️⃣ Free Beyond Pencil Grasp Workshop
Learn the brain science behind writing struggles and where to start. [Check the next workshop date here]
2️⃣ Helping Kids Write Mini Workshop (£29)
Get a clear, practical program of activities you can start right away — no writing drills, just fun, brain-based support.
3️⃣ Foundations for Writing Program
My 10-week parent coaching program where we go deeper into sensory processing, movement, and emotional support through implementation of the No Writing Way(TM) so your child can feel comfortable in their body and confident to write.
Not sure which option is right for you?
👉 [Contact me here] Tell me a little about your child, and I’ll help you figure out the best place to start.
