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Some children who have difficulty writing, painting and drawing may have low tone or muscle strength in their upper body. This leads to a lack of control and makes fine motor activities challenging. Using an upright surface often helps these children gain control of their arm and encourages better posture and positioning. If your child is having difficulty writing while at a table, try another technique. Present the child with an easel to complete fine motor activities. If you do not have an easel, tape a piece of paper to the wall. As the difficulty decreases, or when you notice your child developing more control and better posture when using a writing utensil, take it down a notch. A slant board still offers some support for the arm but is closer to the table. The slant board is easy to use and relatively cheap. Boards come in different heights and contains a clip for paper. I am a big advocate of the slant board both in the classroom and for tutoring. I have seen children’s fine motor skills improve as well as their confidence.  Click here to order a slant board.