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Writing Basics Toolkit: Tools We Use & Recommend To Help Struggling Writers

Quick note: Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Writing Tools That Reduce Fatigue

Children with developing fine motor skills often fatigue early, which shifts their focus from expressing ideas to just holding the pencil. These tools reduce strain and support better control, especially for early writers or those with dysgraphia or motor challenges.

✏️ Ergonomic Pencil Grips – Comfortable Support

Why I recommend: These grips help fingers rest in a more natural position, reducing pressure and fatigue. They’re especially helpful when paired with guided writing practice.

  • Pen+Gear Soft Pencil Grip – Affordable, kid-friendly grips that make holding pencils easier and more comfortable.

  • Lakeshore Writing Claws Set of 12 – Alternative set that teaches proper finger placement while promoting grip strength.

 

Tip: Test out one at a time at a non-stressful time at home so your child doesn’t feel overwhelmed by choices.

✏️ Mechanical Pencils – Smooth, No Sharpening Needed

Why I recommend: Mechanical pencils with a fine lead reduce the physical effort of constantly sharpening and provide predictable, smooth lines — perfect for writing practice.

  • BIC Mechanical Pencils 0.7mm 10 Pack – Great value pack with reliable performance.

  • Paper Mate Clear Point Mechanical Pencil – A comfortable, colorful set that’s easy for kids to use independently.

 

Tip: Try 0.7 mm lead for smoother writing.

Tools That Support Focus & Time Awareness

Writing can feel endless to kids who struggle with organization, attention, or task initiation. Visual timers help make time visible and predictable, which can reduce frustration and make short work periods feel more manageable.

⏱️ Visual Timers – Helping Kids See Time Passing

Helping Kids Accept Timers (Without Stress or Distraction)

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If timers have caused pushback or anxiety in the past, you’re not alone. For some kids, a timer can feel like pressure instead of support — especially if it’s introduced as a way to control behavior or speed.

 

A few things that help:

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  • Introduce the timer when your child is calm, not in the middle of a difficult task.

  • Start by using it for non-writing activities (a game, a puzzle, or drawing) so it feels neutral.

  • Keep the first intervals short and achievable — even 5 minutes counts.

  • Let your child help set the timer so it feels collaborative, not imposed.

  • Avoid watching or commenting on the timer as it runs.

 

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If your child becomes distracted by the visual timer, try:

  • Placing the timer slightly off to the side, not directly in front of them

  • Turning off sounds or alerts altogether

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Over time, many kids begin to see the timer as reassurance — a clear “end point” — rather than something to race against.

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Timers work best when they’re paired with reasonable expectations and a clear goal (for example, “write one sentence” rather than “finish the assignment”). When that balance is in place, the timer supports focus instead of increasing stress.

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Recommended Visual Timer

  • Time Timer MOD Home Edition 60 Minute Kids Visual Timer – A clear, calm visual timer that shows how much time is left at a glance. I like it for short writing blocks, transitions, and homework sessions because it makes time predictable without adding pressure or distraction.

The goal is for the timer to act as a quiet boundary, not a countdown they fixate on. I often explain to kids that the timer's job is to make sure a hard task doesn't last forever, and not to make them rush.

🎧 Noise-Reducing Headphones – Block Distractions

Why I recommend: These can help children focus during independent writing tasks or when working near noise distractions.

  • JBL JR 460NC Noise‑Canceling Wireless Over‑Ear Kids Headphones – Reliable ANC headphones with safe volume settings.

Planning & Organization Supports

Planning tools help children externalize thought before writing, making the writing process feel more manageable, especially when sentence planning is difficult.

 

🧠 Dry Erase Boards – Risk-Free Writing Practice

 

Dry-erase boards give kids a place to try ideas without the pressure of permanence.

 

For many struggling writers, the fear of “messing up” on paper can stop writing before it starts. A whiteboard lowers that barrier.

 

They’re especially helpful for sentence work, revising, and practicing new writing patterns before moving to paper.

 

Ways dry-erase boards support writing:

  • Make it easier to try a sentence, change it, and try again

  • Encourage revision without erasing holes in paper

  • Support oral rehearsal → written sentence

  • Help kids focus on structure rather than neatness

I often use dry-erase boards as a bridge — not a replacement for paper, but a step in between thinking and writing. It can also be paired with sticky notes. For example, have them brainstorm (with you or a friend) ideas that come to mind, then copy those ideas to sticky notes to help them to start organizing their ideas.

Choosing the Right Size

Different sizes serve different purposes. You don’t need both — choose what fits your space and your child’s needs.

 

Small / Lap-Size Dry-Erase Boards

Best for:

  • Sentence-level work

  • Writing next to a parent or teacher

  • Short writing bursts or practice sessions

  • Easy to copy from

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These are easy to move, quick to grab, and less visually overwhelming.

Medium or Wall-Mounted Dry-Erase Boards

Best for:

  • Planning multiple sentences or ideas

  • Visualizing structure (beginning/middle/end)

  • Writing together or talking through ideas

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Wall-mounted or larger boards work well when you want ideas to stay visible while writing progresses. The link below takes you to a post-it (sticky then removable) version of a white board!)

🗒️ Sticky Notes – Planning Without the Pressure

For many kids, the hardest part of writing isn’t the sentence itself — it’s figuring out where to start and how much to think about at once.

 

Sticky notes help make thinking visible without requiring a “finished” product right away.

 

They work especially well for kids who freeze when faced with a blank page or who feel overwhelmed by multi-sentence tasks.

 

A few ways I suggest using sticky notes:

  • Write one idea per note before any writing begins

  • Use notes to plan the order of ideas, then move them around as needed

  • Turn one sticky note into one sentence (instead of “write a paragraph”)

  • Remove notes as ideas are used to make progress feel concrete

 

Sticky notes lower the stakes. Kids can adjust, replace, or discard ideas without feeling like they’ve done something “wrong.”

Note: Choose lined or unlined (or both) depending on your child's preference and handwriting ability. If they (or you) aren't able to read their writing, write them for them. It's also ok if they want to draw pictures!

Recommended Sticky Notes

  • Sticky Notes (3×3 size) - Simple 3×3 sticky notes are easy to handle and flexible for planning, organizing ideas, and supporting sentence-by-sentence writing. I recommend sticking with standard or soft colors so the notes support thinking rather than becoming a distraction.

Books That Support Understanding & Strategy

Many parents are looking for ways to support writing without pushing too hard or saying the “wrong” thing. These books help provide helpful language and perspectives that make writing support feel more manageable.

 

  • Basic Facts About Dyslexia and Other Reading Problems (Louisa Moats, Karen E. Dakin) – A thoughtful, practical guide to supporting learners with dyslexia.

 

  • Dyslexia Advocate! How To Advocate for a Child with Dyslexia within the Public Education System, 2nd Edition (Kelli Sandman-Hurley) – A straightforward guide to help parents understand laws and advocate effectively for their dyslexic child's educational rights and support.

Gentle Reminder

Tools help, but they are not instruction.

These supports are most effective when integrated with thoughtful coaching, breaks, and intentional writing strategy.

If writing remains consistently frustrating despite supports, that’s a signal to check in with your child and look at modifying how tasks are structured, not to add more tools.

Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. I only share tools I genuinely recommend and would use with students and families.

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