Guide
Helpful school supplies
Pencil grips, slant boards, loop scissors, wiggle cushions, visual timers and more: simple supplies that make writing, cutting, sitting and staying organized easier. Free printable guide in English and Spanish.
Free from Oaklin Lane’s therapists. Nothing here is a diagnosis, and if something feels off, that’s enough to ask.
The right supplies can help your child take part and feel successful at school. You can find most of these wherever school supplies are sold. Your therapist can tell you which ones fit your child best.
Writing and coloring
- Soft or molded pencil grips
- Thick (jumbo) pencils
- Chunky or rock-shaped crayons
- Short pencils and broken crayons, which invite a fingertip grip
- Pencil weights or weighted pencils
- A wrist-strap pencil holder that keeps the pencil at the right angle
- A hand cuff that holds the pencil for a child with a weak grip
- A slant board, or a wide binder turned on its side
- Paper with bold or raised lines
- A clipboard or non-slip mat to hold the paper still
A better writing setup
A pencil grip, a slanted surface and feet flat on the floor work together to make writing less tiring.
Cutting
- Loop scissors: squeeze to cut, and they open on their own
- Spring-open scissors
- Left-handed scissors for lefties
- Stiffer paper, like card stock, which is easier to hold and cut
- Thick, dark lines to cut along
Sitting and attention
- An air-filled wiggle cushion
- A stretchy band around the front chair legs for busy feet
- A footrest or box so the feet rest flat
- Textured strips that stick to a desk or binder for quiet touch
- A small, quiet fidget for the hands
- Noise-reducing headphones for loud times
- A chewable pencil topper or chew necklace, if your therapist suggests one
Getting organized
- A different color folder for each subject
- A zipper pencil pouch that clips into the binder
- A picture schedule or checklist taped to the desk
- A visual timer that shows time left
- A reading strip or index card to keep their place
- Graph paper to line up numbers in math
Tip: Try one or two tools at home before buying a whole set. Then tell your child's teacher what helps, so your child can use the same tools at school.
Your Oaklin Lane occupational therapist can help you choose the right supplies for your child.
Questions families ask
Where can I find these supplies?
Most of them are sold wherever school supplies are sold. Try one or two at home before buying a whole set.
Should I tell my child’s teacher?
Yes. Once you know what helps, tell the teacher so your child can use the same tools at school.
