Redefining the Pencil: Let Them “Write”.

Revamping the writing experience for kids: A fresh perspective on pencils.

As someone who truly appreciates a good #2 pencil, the traditional pencil is my tool of choice when I am writing and has been since I was a little kid.

As it is for millions of little kids and people all over the world.

But what do you do when a kid is an emergent writer? They might not yet be ready for a traditional pencil.

If that is the case, it is time to consider how we “define” the word pencil.

A pencil is a tool that helps EVERY kid (and human) express themselves in writing. In keeping with the idea of a traditional pencil, a kid might use:

📝a marker

📝a crayon

📝a traditional pencil with a supportive pencil grip

📝a jumbo pencil

📝a colored pencil

For some kids, they’re not ready for a traditional-type pencil.  It’s not accessible for a variety of reasons: low tone, limited hand strength, physical disability, intellectual disability, sensory concerns, etc.  To support kids that need additional supports or an alternative, we can consider an alternative pencil.

What's an alternative pencil?

An alternative pencil refers to tools and supports that give kids access to the alphabet for writing. For kids who can't hold a pencil, alternative pencils can facilitate writing, making "written" expressive communication more accessible.

🖍️Partner Assisted Scanning: scan for letters or words to use in composing a writing sample

🖍️an AAC device: used to craft sentences, identify a topic, or share ideas with a verbal output. An image may be used to represent meaning and lead to conversations about what a child "has to say".

🖍️Alphabet flip charts: Paper-based charts with letters that can be pointed to or reached for. 

🖍️a keyboard: use to find letters or words that represent thoughts and ideas

🖍️magnetic or tile letters: used to find the initial sound of a word or to craft words. When used with a photo or an image, meaning can be attached to what they are expressing.

Writing is an expressive medium, and EVERYONE has something to say.

EVERYONE 💙

So why not think "outside the box" to make writing accessible for all?

While I'm a huge fan of #2 pencils (Dixon Ticonderoga… go team!) and use them daily, I absolutely believe that all of us are writers whether we hold a pencil or not.

Everyone deserves the opportunity to be expressive.  Everyone deserves the opportunity to be creative. 

We just have to find the best tool for them to do just that.

Let us know how we can support you and your kid's best learning! From writing supports to reading comprehension, from visual supports to math computation, we've got a tool for that. If your kid has a 504 Plan or an IEP and is still struggling with learning, there might be some supports missing. Schedule an appointment, and let's get solution-centered. The consultation is free: CLICK HERE