At a lot of junior schools especially in the UK when children first learn to write they have to use a pencil until they can form the letters properly and then they are awarded a pen license and can start using a pen for the first time.
A good pen for children needs to be comfortable for their small hands, be designed to encourage proper finger placement and hold and be fun to look at and use. If they are left-handed the pen needs to have quick-drying ink to prevent smudging.
