In a Montessori Early childhood program preparations for writing and building the hand begin at birth.  Since Maria Montessori saw the hand as the child’s instrument to understand the world around him she carefully prepared materials to aid the child in building control of movement, and sensitivity of touch.  These are ideas that get lost in typical early childhood programs and many times a child is holding a pencil before her hand and body are ready to support this detailed and concentrated work. As a parent of a child with dyspraxia, I know all too well the challenges of an inefficient system of motor planning and movement that needs explicit, and repeated practice to master many organized movements, whether of the hand the body the eyes the mouth all the magnificent orchestrations that occur in our daily work. I happened on to this nice list of supports that may be of assistance to you in your efforts to aid your child to build themselves and their improve their motor control and strength of hand. There’s not a moment to lose. http://www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/downloads/handwriting_and_dyspraxia.pdf