Are you looking for ways to support students who cannot write within a given space? If so, keep reading.

1. Give the learner physical encouragement by guiding their hand as they write.

2. Get the learner to correct their own writing errors.

3. Get the learner to perform a “practice page” before turning in the actual task.

4. Get the learner to practice writing letters, words, and sentences by tracing over a sequence of dots.

5. Give the learner extra-large sheets of paper on which to write. As the learner shows success, slowly lessen the size of the paper to standard size.

6. Acknowledge quality work (e.g., display learner’s work, congratulate the learner, etc.).

7. Give the learner the appropriate learning materials to finish the task (e.g., pencil with eraser, paper, dictionary, handwriting sample, etc.). Make sure that the learner has only the appropriate learning materials on the desk.

8. Utilize vertical lines or graph paper to help the learner space letters correctly.

9. Create a border, so the learner understands when they have written to the edge of the writing space.

10. Assess the appropriateness of the task to ascertain (a) if the task is too easy, (b) if the task is too complicated, and (c) if the duration of time scheduled to finish the task is sufficient.

11. Give the learner shorter writing tasks. As the learner shows success, slowly increase the number of writing tasks over time.

12. Provide the learner with one handwriting task to finish at a time. Present the next task only when the learner has successfully finished the prior task.

13. Get the learner to take part in writing learning activities designed to cause the learner to want to be successful in writing (e.g., writing a letter to a friend, rock star, famous athlete, etc.).

14. Consider using one of the apps on one of our best writing apps lists:

The Tech Edvocate’s List of 31 Grammar & Writing Apps, Tools & Resources

Ten Apps to Help Students Develop Writing Skills

10 of the Best Grammar and Writing Apps for Elementary School Students

11 of the Best Grammar and Writing Apps for High School Students

10 of the Best Grammar and Writing Apps for Middle School Students