The very first blog...welcome! I'm starting with pencil grasp as handwriting is a very common reason OTs are asked to see school age children.
The way a child holds the pencil is one of the first components of handwriting that we look at. There is a predictable progression that most children follow from using their whole fist, to holding a pencil with a tripod grasp (that is, using their thumb, index and third fingers). Therefore, it is important to give your child an opportunity to try different grasps as their muscles develop and encourage age-appropriate grasps. For effecient pencil control, OTs have for a long time looked for a dynamic pencil grasp (see photo below). The reason the dynamic pencil grasp is desirable is because the hand is positioned with an open web space (the nice circle made by the thumb and index finger) and it allows these fingers to move the pencil as required when writing. It is the preferred grasp for writing speed, control and letter formation. Some grasps are seen as functional as they have the elements desired; an open web space; pencil held by first three fingers; stability of the 4th and 5th fingers. Some grasps are inefficient as a child is compensating for a lack of stability or applying too much pressure. This usually results in fatigue, pain, compromised writing speed, lack of mobility of the first three fingers and/or stress on the joints of the hand. Can you see your child's pencil grasp below or have they got their own unique style? Early grasps
Inefficient Grasps
Functional Grasps
It is not uncommon for a child to use lots of different grasps. A few more things to consider:-
Teaching a dynamic grasp... I ask children to pinch the pencil, make a Harbour Bridge (coming from Sydney this is very appropriate) and to rest their wrist. I will discuss other ways to encourage a dynamic tripod grasp in future blogs. Is your child using a functional pencil grasp? How do you prompt your child to hold their pencil? ![]()
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53 Comments
Vel
10/2/2014 01:39:09 am
Thanks a lot for this great article Cindy. I've been wondering for ages if my boys hold their pencils correctly. All the various grip photos are really helpful.
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Cindy
10/2/2014 05:19:18 am
I'm so glad that you found the photos of the pencil grasps useful!
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Steph
14/2/2014 04:59:49 am
Hi Cindy,
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14/2/2014 08:24:54 am
Thanks Steph, I'm glad you found the pictures helpful. I will have a post about pencil grips in the near future but until then...I am usually reluctant to recommend pencil grips as they do tend to get lost or used incorrectly even when they are on the pencil! My favourites are "The Pencil Grip", "crossover grip" and the "claw". Cindy
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Val
7/9/2014 09:33:53 am
What a great website!
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7/9/2014 10:11:49 am
Thank you Val. Please let your friends and colleagues know too!
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Alexia Francesconi
17/10/2014 12:47:59 am
Wow Cindy! You've really brought me out the dark here - apparently I've been using an inefficient grasp all my life. No one has ever commented on me having bad handwriting or the wrong hand grasp.
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17/10/2014 01:12:43 am
Hopefully you have never got hand cramps :) Lots of people adapt and write with a non-functional grasp. These grasps are a good starting point when teaching kids! Thanks for your comment.
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Amit vyas
8/11/2014 05:59:24 pm
Thanks for a wonderful article helping all parents to get an inside on the most common worry & how to resolve the issue
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9/11/2014 11:28:47 am
Thanks for your lovely comment and i'm pleased you found the article useful.
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My daughter has been back and forth between schools for two years and teachers mostly just asked her to write without caring to teach her how or check her grip. She's finally home with me for good and I'm trying (for a third time) to undo the damage. Thanks for all the helpful posts. When she starts writing she slips her pencil into a straight up and down "claw" squeezing with her knuckles and it hurts. She now hates to write because of it. :-( I'm ordering the chopsticks. We are using a triangle pencil. I have had pencil grips recommended to me. Anything else?
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29/1/2015 12:16:13 am
If you can get a "CLAW" pencil grip, I think that may be a good grip for your daughter. It is quite difficult to unlearn pencil grasps. Perhaps try a stylus with this grip for motivation on an ipad if you use them. You may also like to do more on vertical surfaces (eg. writing on a whiteboard, attach paper to a vertical surface) as this can help with wrist extension. All the best.
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Thanks! I will definitely try with the stylus. And I will have to pay attention to how she does when we work at the easel in the mornings. She tries a lot of different grasps depending on what she is working on. She told her dad this afternoon she doesn't like to hold it the "right way" because then her coloring is "sloppy" so she does it the other way even though it hurts because she wants the "detail". I'm hoping that means she's not too set in the hurtful grasps so we can work on making things easier for her.
Gina
7/4/2015 05:04:18 pm
I am wondering about a hooked wrist in my right handed son. He is 9 and hooks his wrist. My husband has said we should correct this; however, it leads to tears because straight writing seems to be as awkward as left handed writing.
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8/4/2015 09:59:02 am
It is difficult to change patterns after doing something the same way for so long. In the long term, it would help your son if he doesn't hook. Check the position of the paper on the table as often the hook is so they can see the writing under their hand. Make sure the paper is on a 45 degrees. Try strengthening/supporting the wrist in using vertical surfaces (eg, whiteboard, easel, slant board). You could even use an ipad on a recipe book stand and get your son using a stylus. All the best.
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30/7/2015 07:47:17 am
I would be happy to trial this pencil if you contact me.
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Lee
4/2/2016 07:49:12 am
My son is 3 and a half and still uses the fist hold. Should I be worried? He refuses to hold his pencil differently. His preschool use a triangle type grip but it doesn't seem to help...
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4/2/2016 11:15:01 am
Hi Lee, I wouldn't be worried but I would encourage your son to do more activities that require a pincer grasp. Refer here http://www.yourkidsot.com/blog/when-pinching-is-ok and http://www.yourkidsot.com/blog/did-you-know-that-your-hand-has-two-sides for some ideas. You can encourage a pincer grasp in multiple activities through the day and as his fingers and hand muscles develop, he will gain control to do hold his pencil in this way.
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4/9/2016 01:16:24 am
Hi my son is 4 n half years. He is left handed and is using thumb wrap grasp. His handwriting is very good. His drawing colouring painting all are excellent. Should I still worry about d grasp?will this grasp create problem on future?plz reply.
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4/9/2016 08:49:54 am
At 4 years old, I would continue to encourage a "pincer grasp" of objects as well as a pencil. I would watch for the control of the pencil with the first three fingers and the separation of the two sides of the hand. Here are two relevant articles for you.
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Christel
1/11/2016 01:50:16 am
Hi, I was researching pencil grips and came across your website. My daughter (5.5) and I both use a grip that I'm not sure whether it needs to be corrected or not and it's not shown in the photos. The pencil is grasped by the thumb, index and middle finger, but instead of the pencil resting on the middle finger, all of those three fingers are sort of on the top half of the pencil and the pencil itself is resting on the first knuckle of the ring finger. Is this an alternative functional grasp or an inefficient grasp that needs correction? THANKS
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13/2/2017 07:36:41 am
Sorry for the delayed response, I didn't see your comment! As long as the movement of the pencil is controlled by the first three fingers (thumb, index and third) and there is some fluency of movement, I wouldn't worry about correcting this grasp. If she has poor letter formation or it is causing her discomfort, pain or slowing down her writing then I would look at teaching how to rest the pencil into the web space.
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Raziya
12/2/2017 04:37:47 pm
My son is 11 and still holds his pencil like the radial cross palmer. Is that bad. I've come to the conclusion everyone is different and there are many possibilities and this being a possible way to hold your pencil. It doesn't hurt him. He has decent handwriting. He writes in cursive and he is even an artist. Myself and teachers have tried to correct him but he continues writing like that. He'll write correctly for a minute then go right back to the old grip. When he was younger it caused so much stress and tension I decided to give him a break on me nagging.
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13/2/2017 07:41:05 am
If he is not in pain, not slowed down, not producing illegible work, then I wouldn't worry too much. The radial cross palmer can potentially lead to carpal tunnel like symptoms because of the hooked wrist so that is something to be aware of. It is very hard to change a habit that has been long established and requires self motivation. I would be encouraging work on a vertical surface such as a sloped desk or board. There may be underlying factors that are affecting why he is holding the pencil this way which I can't answer fully here.
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KA
4/4/2017 11:31:09 am
Wish I was taught to write with a dynamic tripod grasp. I would teach little kids as early as possible to write using a dynamic tripod grasp; looks so elegant.
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Stari_Most
4/10/2017 11:01:22 am
That's how everyone in my country does it.
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Michelle
6/4/2017 05:46:07 am
For a year or more I have been trying to get my 7 year old to use the dynamic grip. However he consistantly uses the lateral tripod grip unless I am constantly telling him to slide down his thumb. He says the dynamic feels wierd and his writting is more awkward looking. But I kept saying he would get used to it. I really thought it was an incorrect form especially since my hand writting is horrid especially over time and I use the same lateral tripod grip. But I see here you list it as functional. Am I causing unnecesary angst and stress trying to force the dynamic grip or is it worth the work now? Thank you for your advice and input!
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18/4/2017 04:54:24 am
A lateral tripod grasp can be functional. Check if he is using the first three fingers to control the pencil and you could encourage this by having your son hold a pom pom with his 4/5th fingers whilst he writes. Be aware of too much pressure holding the pencil... otherwise, let him use the lateral tripod grasp if his writing is legible.
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Christina
13/2/2019 02:12:40 am
Hi! Any tips to help my son remember to rest his wrist when writing? He’s 4.5 yrs old and he’s struggling with grasp and wrist position but I think the wrist issue is more pressing. He will compensate by using his nondominant left hand to guide the pencil tip on his right hand because he doesn’t have enough control when he grasps the pencil.
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13/2/2019 07:56:24 am
Hi Christina, Try lots of activities on a vertical surface. (eg. drawing in shaving cream on a shower screen) You could also try a stick on his wrist and asking him to hide it when drawing/writing. Work on finger strength and separation of the two sides of the hands so that ultimately the pencil is controlled by fingers and not at the wrist/elbow. All the best.
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RK OT
16/3/2019 03:56:28 am
Vertical surfaces are great, but another trick I've found helpful is to simply change the plane - in other words, have the child lay prone (on his/her stomach) and complete the activity on the ground (homework, handwriting practice, you name it). I've found it to be very effective. This is also a great position for working on trunk/core muscles for neck and upper-body strength (can be used while playing a game, even watching TV) - just don't let the child rest his/her head on his/her hands!
Claire
26/6/2019 07:21:51 pm
Hi. I am an adult and have always written using the lateral pinch grasp ( didn't know until i read your article). What long term effects could writing like this lead to? Many thanks for any replies, Claire
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28/6/2019 05:35:49 pm
Hi Claire,
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Gina
27/8/2019 07:19:34 pm
Hi! Thanks for this. I teach Language Arts in 3rd Grade. I have been reading a lot on handwriting and came across your article. I'm a staunch supporter of good handwriting and I was quite surprised with how some of my students for this schoolyear are holding their writing instruments!!!! I have a couple still doing the four-finger grasp...and a few with inter-digital brace and thumb tuck grasp. So, I purchased pencil grips to help them. However, one parent complained saying that her daughter is already used to how she holds it and questioning why it should be corrected, as she might have a hard time writing and might even slow her down. It also might be a hindrance with her thinking skills. I have never had a problem with past parents with regards to this......so, really, I don't know what to say to her. Any thoughts? Would really appreciate it.....
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28/8/2019 07:52:36 am
Hi Gina,
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Mariah
7/9/2019 05:40:59 pm
Hey! One of my sons is turning 5 and still uses the Radial Palmer grip. While he does this, he holds his elbow extended away from his core at an almost 90 degree angle. I’ve been working fine motor skills with him for what feels like forever, and nothing is improving. He cannot control the utensil like this at all, and he’s getting very frustrated. Do you have any suggestions on correcting this behavior?
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9/9/2019 08:03:26 am
Hi Mariah, You may need to seek a local OT to provide specific advice for your son. Building fine motor skills is a great place to start - including hand strength, pincer grasp, separation of the two sides of the hand. You may need to also work on proximal stability of his core muscles including shoulder stability. Lots of crawling, prone (lying on tummy), vertical activities, etc.
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Mariah
7/9/2019 05:42:51 pm
I meant to say Radial Cross Palmer. *
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Emma
21/10/2019 04:34:41 am
I teach 5th grade, and have a student who uses the Inter-digital Brace grip. His handwriting is very messy and he can’t seem to write small enough to fit on regular lined paper. His writing is also very slow, which causes him to work slowly and miss out on learning opportunities.
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RK OT
4/3/2020 01:08:45 am
Does your school have an OT who can do a screening (or evaluation)? It sounds like accommodations might be worth looking into (such as typing, speech to text, etc.)
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Nicole
3/3/2020 10:37:59 am
Hi Cindy. I'm wondering if it's too late to help my kids fix their grips. My 14 year old uses the Hyperextended Index Finger Grip, and my 12 year old hasn't got past the Palmer Supinate despite our urging for many years to change her grip, she draws beautifully and her handwriting is reasonable. I'm in my mid 40's and have discovered that I have an Inefficient Grasp also, a cross between a few of them with an additional strange index finger thing, It was only my year 5 teacher who tried to correct this, and after many unsuccessful attempts with one of those plastic triangle grips, he gave up. I used to get an aching hand, and still have a lump on one of my fingers from where the pen sits. My kids complain of aching hands after writing a small amount. Can any of us be 'fixed'?
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RK OT
4/3/2020 01:00:20 am
Hi Nicole, I'm not Cindy :) [and Cindy, I hope you don't mind my input], but I am an OT who primarily works with the pediatric population.
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8/3/2020 09:56:46 am
Thanks for your considered answer RK OT. This is the response that I would have also made.
Nicole
22/4/2020 02:09:59 pm
Thank you so much, RK, and Cindy, I really appreciate your replies and your help. I've realised my eldests grasp is actually somewhat better than what I thought I observed at first. We will endeavour to put your advice into practice for the 12 yo, she is very reluctant to try it, but we'll give it a go. And yes, I will try to get her to do typing at home (with the Covid-19 lockdowns) and see how we go from there.
Hayley
22/4/2020 01:50:43 pm
Hi,
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Alison
10/9/2021 07:48:32 am
Hi Cindy. I am also an OT practicing in the schools. What references did you get the age norms for these grasps from? Thank you!
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Cindy@ Your Kids OT
19/9/2021 01:55:59 pm
Hi Alison, I have written a more recent artlcle to this one which has many references. I've been authoring a book about pencil grasp (for the last five years) which has many many references that I'm continuing to sift through. https://www.yourkidsot.com/blog/a-dynamic-tripod-grasp-why-do-we-teach-this-to-our-kids
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B
17/9/2021 04:12:14 pm
What is your opinion on a quad grasp? I have always held my pencil being supported by my ring finger. In elementary they always tried to get me to correct my graps, but I had minor development issues, and learning disorders and this always felt more stable to me. I have good handwriting. Is this an incorrect grip?
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Cindy@YKOT
19/9/2021 01:58:00 pm
Hi B, Function always wins over form. We are moving away from correct and incorrect grasps these days. I like to talk in terms of efficiency, function and whether there signs for needing to change a pencil grasp. I'm 5 years in to co-authoring a book about pencil grasp. You may find other articles on my site helpful - https://www.yourkidsot.com/blog/a-dynamic-tripod-grasp-why-do-we-teach-this-to-our-kids
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AS
23/6/2022 10:42:40 am
Preschool OTR here in the US. Where did you get the developmental norms from? I am seeing conflicting norms across resources, especially for the radial cross palmar grasp. Thanks so much!
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AuthorHi, I'm Cindy and I am an Occupational Therapist. I enjoy working creatively with children to see them reach their potential. Read more about me here. SEARCH THIS SITE
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