The Hidden Impact of Hypermobility on Pencil Grasp
When children begin learning to write, it’s easy to focus on pencil type, handwriting worksheets, and letter formation. But beneath those early writing skills lies something far more fundamental, how a child’s body supports their hand to hold and control a pencil.
For some children, particularly those with hypermobility, this foundation can be a little wobbly, quite literally!
What is Hypermobility?
Hypermobility means that a child’s joints move beyond the typical range of motion. It’s sometimes called being “double-jointed,” but it’s more than flexibility. Hypermobility occurs when the connective tissues, the ligaments that stabilise joints, are extra stretchy.
While this flexibility can be advantageous in some activities like dance or gymnastics, it can also make everyday tasks that require endurance, stability, and fine motor control, such as writing, cutting, or dressing, more difficult.
Research shows that children with hypermobility often experience reduced muscle strength, joint stability, and endurance (Knight et al., 2021; Clinch & Eccleston, 2009). These factors play a significant role in how a child develops a functional and efficient pencil grasp.
How Hypermobility Affects Pencil Grasp
To hold and control a pencil effectively, the small muscles of the hand and fingers need to work in harmony with the larger muscles of the shoulder and core. When a child has hypermobile joints in their hands, wrists, or fingers, several challenges can appear:
Low joint stability: The fingers may “collapse” or bend backwards when pressing on the pencil, making it harder to control pressure or direction.
Fatigue and pain: Hypermobility can cause hand muscles to tire quickly, leading children to lose interest or avoid drawing and writing tasks.
Compensatory grips: To gain stability, children often develop awkward grasps — such as wrapping their thumb around the pencil or holding it tightly — which can limit dexterity and fluidity later on.
Reduced fine motor precision: Without stable joints, the hand struggles to make the small, refined movements required for neat handwriting.
Over time, these patterns can become ingrained, making it much harder to correct once formal schooling begins.
Why It’s Important to Address Before School
School readiness isn’t just about knowing letters and numbers, it’s about having the strong foundations for learning. When hypermobility goes unrecognised, children may:
Fatigue quickly during writing tasks, impacting concentration and confidence
Experience discomfort or even pain in their hands
Avoid fine motor activities like drawing, colouring, or using scissors
Struggle to keep up with classroom demands, affecting self-esteem
Early intervention allows children to strengthen their fine motor foundation before the demands of daily writing begin. Occupational therapists can help identify if your child’s grasp difficulties are related to joint hypermobility and develop a plan to build stability, control, and confidence.
How an Occupational Therapist Can Help
A paediatric occupational therapist can assess your child’s joint range, muscle strength, and grasp pattern to determine how hypermobility is impacting their fine motor skills. Support might include:
Strengthening and stability activities – play-based exercises that target hand, shoulder, and core stability.
Adaptive grips or tools – trialling pencil grips or weighted pencils to reduce fatigue and improve control.
Skill-building through play – games and activities that build fine motor coordination in a fun, meaningful way.
Parent education – strategies for everyday play that support your child’s development at home.
The goal isn’t to rush handwriting, rather it’s to prepare your child’s body to enjoy it.
What Parents Can Look Out For
If you notice your child:
Holds their pencil awkwardly or changes their grip often
Tires easily when colouring or drawing
Avoids fine motor tasks or complains of sore hands
Has fingers that bend backwards or appear “floppy”
… it may be worth having an occupational therapy assessment before they start school.
Hypermobility is common and often overlooked. But when it comes to early writing success, understanding how it affects your child’s body can make all the difference. Supporting joint stability and fine motor strength early can help your child enter school feeling confident, comfortable, and ready to write.
