Erasable Pens
One item that has helped our homeschool is the erasable pen. Last year I heard a lecture by Andrew Pudewa , on how to get reluctant little boys to write. One of the most valuable things I learned was that pencils can make it difficult for children to write. He explained that pencils change as you write with them. You might start writing with a fine tipped, sharpened pencil, but by the end of the paragraph you have a dull, smudgy pencil. This change can frustrate many children as well as cause them to get up from their seat 100 times to sharpen their pencils.
We solved this problem in our house by purchasing erasable pens. These Ballpoint Pens cost about $12 for two dozen on Amazon, although I am sure you can find them cheaper at your local store. The pens last for several months and they erase well.
When your child uses a pen, the force they exert to make marks of the paper is very consistent, unlike with a pencil. I chose erasable pens because my kids do not like to make mistakes or scratch things out. With my younger children (who don’t care about those things) we use washable markers.
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AUTHOR | Toni
Toni, one of the original 3 Moms, is a military wife and stay-at-home(schooling) mom of six, soon to be seven great kids. On her personal blog, The Happy Housewife, she writes about saving money, healthy eating, recycling, homeschooling, life as a mom, and crafting.
How cool! I hadn’t seen those! I’m going to have to find some of those!
I have had trouble writing w/erasable pens…for some reason it’s like the ink doesn’t flow as smoothly…I don’t like using them for myself but I think it’s great for the kids. They are always wanting to do their school work w/a pen and I want them to have something they can erase - so it works for us both.
School supplies are much cooler now than they were in my day.
My kids are just learning to write, so I really appreciate this information.
Thanks!
Markers made learing to write much more fun in our house.
Oh great idea! My kids always do their writing SO much nicer with pen but I avoid it since they can’t erase. I hadn’t thought to get them erasable pens!
Neat idea. I ended up buying some no-smudge pencils for one of my lefties. They don’t write or erase very well though. The pens might be a better option.
Great tip! I’m going to remember this one for when it’s time and pass it on to my friends with older kids.
I NEVER thought about the fact that pencils change as you write!! Thanks for the awesome tip. =0)