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By all means, seek early testing and assistance...but that's normal at six. We have to prompt children even older than that to use finger spacing between words. Many schools have stopped formalized teaching of handwriting which, in my opinion, is leading to horrible chaos. Has she worked through an organized handwriting teaching curriculum? If she likes writing her own stories, at 6:00 it is still perfectly reasonable for her to dictate to you. So you could ask her to dictate at least the first part of the story to you while you model appropriate handwriting and then she can finish the story when she's gotten the sort of frantic first rush of words already out onto the page.

Does she have correct letter formation? Having good formation ensures they can have good writing fluency and automaticity as they get older. We use verbal pathways with our students along with some kinaesthetic activities. We teach the easiest letters first and the other letters build upon them. Ie: if you learn formation for c, you can more easily form a,d,g,q,o

For example: If I was teaching “g”, I would first model on a whiteboard and say the pathway:

“Around like a c, close, down, hook left -g” Now the HB font is not a good example of the “g” that I would teach because it doesn’t match the pathway - but you get the idea.

Many schools have a set of verbal pathways that they use so if you can make it consistent between home and school that’s even better.

I then ask them to use two fingers and draw it in the air saying the pathway them self. There’s good research to show that air writing builds a strong cognitive connection (ever notice how you look up when you try to remember something?)

Next I have the student make the letter with two fingers on the table - again, saying the verbal pathway.

Finally I have them write it with a whiteboard marker about 5 times - always saying the pathway. It’s incredible how these verbal pathways stick.

We do a letter a day, but once they get the hang of the formation (top to bottom) it generally goes very fast.

If formation is good, some other tools we use are:

Raised line paper - this is provides both a visual and tactile response to improve handwriting.

Spacing tool - use a popsicle stick to help remind to space . Make it fun by adding a pompom, stickers etc. I prefer these to using a finger because it can be taken away once spacing is solid rather than becoming an unnecessary habit.

Draw lines - if your child is writing a sentence “I like to play outside” - go ahead and draw 5 lines on the paper for them until they get the hang of spacing independently. You will also want to make sure the length of the line matches the length of the word.

Highlighter paper - provides visual feedback as to how high/low letters should go

Slant board - allows fingers/wrist to fall in a more natural writing position

I am experiencing this with my own 6yo daughter - her letters are OK but her numbers are all backwards. If there is unlined paper she rushes and it’s very messy. Now that we’re both home I finally have time to take some of my own advice and get working on it

ETA : some great (fun) apps are Wet-Dry-Try and Sand Draw.

@MrsSRS: yes I agree! It’s so important to let her go everywhere else with just the occasional pathway comment or reminder . Writing can become very tedious with an adult pushing for correct formation all the time.

Love the trick about the cotton ball on a stick for wet dry try. Thanks!!

@MrsSRS: hahaha yup!!! I was working with a teacher who’s student just flat out refused to write anything for months. We printed out his exact same writing paper on orange cardstock and he wrote novels for the rest of the year 🤷‍♀️

Sorry , off-topic, I know !

@charm55: I’m 40 and still remember some of the verbal pathways that my early education teachers taught!

@charm55: Thank you!!! I really appreciate it. I feel like this could be the missing piece.

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@mrssrs all of the above! He hates doing it because it's extremely difficult for him. He was in OT 3x/week and about to start PT before corona.

@PurplePeony: yes! Small, tiny crayons encourage a tripod hold.

@MrsADS:
How about starting with a gallon sized Ziploc bag for tracing? Put paint in it, squeeze all true air out, then tape it to a window or glass door at easel height. A few times a day ask your LO to imitate some simple lines or shapes on the paint. Demonstrate using your index finger to press through the paint leaving a blank trail. having the work vertical will help build the stabilizing muscles in the shoulders and encourage core strength. If letters are too hard don't do them. Just do vertical and horizontal lines do some curves encourage scribbles. Variations on smiley faces and emojis are great. The best things you can do for hand strength are Play-Doh or clay-without tools so they're just molding the dough with their hands, and things that use grip strength like monkey bars and climbing.

@mrssrs yes! we are definitely working on all those activities, or as much as he is willing to do (which isn't much). He is so far behind his classmates and it worries me so much.

@Mrssrs that's very reassuring. He's still young, I know, but all of his (younger) classmates can write their names and other things.... and he's a long way from that.