Pencil Control Printables
(This post was written in 2019)
Free Pencil Control Practice Printables: Supporting Fine Motor Development
Pencil control and early handwriting can be challenging for many children, particularly Autistic children and those with differences in motor coordination, muscle tone, or sensory processing. Writing requires the integration of fine motor strength, bilateral coordination, postural stability, visual motor integration, and sustained attention. When these underlying skills are still developing, traditional handwriting expectations can place unnecessary pressure on learners.
Pencil control practice sheets offer a supportive, low demand way to build foundational skills for writing. When used flexibly, they can support hand strength, grip development, motor planning, and confidence, without requiring children to produce formal letter shapes before they are ready. Many families and educators choose to use these resources in reusable pockets or sleeves, allowing children to practise tracing and control using dry erase markers without repeated printing.
To support access and inclusion, a wide range of free pencil control and handwriting readiness printables are available online. These resources can be used at home, in classrooms, or within therapeutic settings and can be adapted to suit individual pacing, interest, and sensory preferences.
Below is a curated list of 10 free pencil control practice printable resources, recommended by parents and educators who have found them helpful in practice.
10 Free Pencil Control Practice Printables
When supporting handwriting development, it is important to remember that progress is not linear and readiness looks different for every child. Pencil control activities should remain optional, strengths based, and responsive to the child’s energy and regulation. Supporting fine motor development is most effective when it is embedded within a broader understanding of each learner’s needs and abilities.
