Getting Ready to Write: Pre-Writing Skills for Preschoolers
- Taryn van der Westhuizen
- Oct 4
- 3 min read
Scribbles, squiggles, sticky fingers… if your 3–5-year-old is anything like the children I see in my occupational therapy practice, your home might be full of them! And if you’ve ever found yourself wondering,
“Should my preschooler be holding a pencil yet?”
“Why can’t my child draw a circle?”
“How can I help my little one get ready for writing?”
you’re not alone.
Here’s the thing: writing doesn’t start the day a child picks up a pencil. It actually starts way before that, with play, movement, and everyday activities that build the brain-body connections they’ll need when it’s time to write letters and numbers. This is what we call pre-writing skills—and it’s one of the most fun, important stages of early childhood development.
What are pre-writing skills?
Think of pre-writing skills like the roots of a tree. You don’t see them, but they support all the growth above the surface. For children, these skills are the foundation for handwriting—and they’re deeply tied to brain development.
When children engage in play, their brains are forming and strengthening neural pathways that connect their eyes, hands, and core muscles. These pathways make it easier to control fine movements, coordinate both hands, and plan sequences of actions—all critical for writing.
Key pre-writing skills include:
Core strength and posture – stabilising the body for controlled movements
Hand and finger strength – for holding crayons, pencils, and scissors
Bilateral coordination – using both hands together
Fine motor control – small, precise movements
Visual-motor integration – how eyes and hands work together
Pre-writing shapes – lines, circles, crosses, and squares
These abilities develop naturally through play, movement, and everyday exploration—but sometimes, children benefit from more focused support to build confidence and readiness.
WHY PRE-WRITING SKILLS MATTER?
Without these foundations, children may:
Avoid drawing or writing activities
Tire easily when using pencils or crayons
Struggle with grip or forming letters
Feel frustrated or lose confidence
From a neuroscience perspective, repeated play and movement strengthen the brain’s motor circuits, making tasks like handwriting smoother and less tiring. Supporting pre-writing skills early helps children develop the executive function and motor planning abilities they will rely on at school and beyond.
HOW CAN YOU TELL IF YOUR CHILD IS DEVELOPING PRE-WRITING SKILLS?
For preschoolers, look for little signs like:
Loving scribbles, doodles, or colouring
Drawing simple lines or circles
Using both hands together, like holding paper while colouring
Stacking blocks or manipulating small toys
Opening and closing containers or twisting lids
Copying shapes like crosses or squares by ages 4–5
These small actions indicate that the neural pathways connecting the brain and body are developing, laying the groundwork for confident writing later.
fun ways to support pre-writing skills at home
Here are some playful ideas that also help strengthen brain-body connections:
1. Playdough Adventures
Rolling, squashing, and pinching playdough builds hand and finger strength—and helps the brain learn how to control small movements.
2. Vertical Drawing
Tape paper to a wall or use an easel. Drawing up high engages the shoulders and core, strengthening postural muscles and coordination.
3. Sensory Trays
Fill a tray with salt, rice, sand, or shaving foam. Tracing shapes with fingers helps integrate visual, tactile, and motor information.
4. Scissor Practice
Snipping paper, straws, or playdough improves hand strength, bilateral coordination, and motor planning.
5. Lacing and Threading
Beads, pasta, or threading cards help children refine small movements and sequencing skills.
6. Obstacle Courses
Crawling, climbing, and “animal walks” build whole-body strength and support the brain’s understanding of spatial awareness.
7. Water Painting
Painting with water on fences or driveways encourages large arm movements, eye-hand coordination, and fluid motor control—without the mess.
when to seek extra support
If your child:
Avoids drawing or mark-making
Has trouble using both hands together
Struggles with pencil grip or scissors
Cannot draw basic shapes by 4–5 years
Becomes frustrated with fine motor tasks
…it may be time to book a session with an occupational therapist. We can assess development, observe neural and motor skills, and provide tailored strategies and activities.
PLAY, EXPLORE, GROW
Supporting your child’s pre-writing skills isn’t about rushing them into letters. It’s about play, exploration, and strengthening brain-body connections. Every scribble, squiggle, and sticky finger is a step toward writing success—and a step toward a lifetime of learning.
If you’d like to learn more or book a session to assess your child's readiness for school, I’d love to help your little one grow with care, connection, and confidence.
