Have you ever looked at your child’s writing and thought:
“Why are the words all over the place?”
“Why is one letter huge and the next tiny?”
“Why don’t they leave any spaces between words?”

Chances are, they’re not being lazy or careless;  they’re struggling with something more profound: spatial awareness.

What Is Spatial Awareness?

Spatial awareness is the ability to understand where your body is in space and how objects relate to one another. In writing, this translates to:

• Knowing where to start writing on the page
• Spacing letters and words correctly
• Keeping letters on the line
• Forming letters with a consistent size and orientation

Writing can feel like a confusing, frustrating task without strong spatial skills.

 Why Are So Many Children Struggling With It?

There are a few reasons why spatial awareness might be underdeveloped in children aged 6+:

1. Limited Fine and Gross Motor Practice

Modern lifestyles often involve more screen time and less active, hands-on play. This limits opportunities for children to build core strength, balance, and hand-eye coordination—all foundational to spatial development.

2. Underdeveloped Visual-Motor Integration

This is the ability to interpret visual information and guide the hand accordingly. If a child struggles to copy shapes, trace lines, or replicate patterns, their visual-motor link may need support.

3. Sensory Processing Differences

Neurodivergent children (including those with ADHD, autism, or sensory processing challenges) may experience the world differently. They might feel overwhelmed by spatial demands or find it hard to “feel” where their body or pencil is in space.

4. Delayed Proprioception and Body Awareness

Some children have trouble sensing the position of their limbs without looking. This can impact posture, pencil control, and spatial planning.

 How You Can Help: Practical Strategies That Work

Helping a child with spatial awareness doesn’t mean endless handwriting drills. In fact, most children benefit from multi-sensory, movement-based approaches that build body and spatial understanding in a fun, engaging way.

Here are some ideas to try:

1. Big Movements Before Pencil Work

Before any writing task, start with gross motor activities like:

• Crawling through tunnels
• Bear walks or crab walks
• Jumping games (hopscotch is brilliant!)
  These help children feel where their body is and build core strength.

2. Use Visual Cues on Paper

• Coloured dots to show where to start letters
• Highlighter lines to guide letter height
• Boxes to help space out words
  These give children an immediate, visual sense of boundaries and positioning.

️ 3. Hands-On Activities

Try:

• Building letters with playdough or pipe cleaners
• Drawing shapes in sand or shaving foam
• Puzzles and block-building
  These help strengthen the brain-body connection without a pencil in sight.

️ 4. Stay Consistent

If multiple adults support the child, use the same visual prompts, language, and techniques. Consistency reduces overwhelm and reinforces learning.

❤️ The Scribble Squirrel Approach

Scribble the Squirrel and I  work with children who find spatial tasks tricky, especially those who are neurodivergent or have fine motor challenges.

We use large paper, colourful prompts, and joyful movement to make writing less frustrating and more achievable. We aim to build confidence through connection and consistency, not pressure or perfection.

It’s Not Just Handwriting—It’s Whole-Body Learning

Spatial awareness affects so much more than how children write. It shapes how they move, learn, and feel in the world around them.

So next time you notice uneven letters or chaotic spacing, pause and remember: it’s not always about effort. Sometimes, it’s about wiring—and that’s where patient, playful support makes all the difference.