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Holding a pencil... does it really matter how?

2/2/2014

 
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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

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Radial Cross Palmer
0-2 years
Pencil positioned across palm held with a fisted hand.
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Palmer Supinate
1-2 years
Pencil held like a dagger.
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Digital Pronate Grasp
2-3 years
All fingers hold the pencil and the palm faces down towards the page.
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Four Finger Grasp
3-4 years
Four fingers are held on the pencil beginning to form the arc between the thumb and index finger (web space).

Inefficient Grasps

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Inter-digital Brace
The pencil is held between the fingers of the hand.
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Thumb Tuck grasp
The thumb is tucked under the first three fingers or wrapped around them.
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Key or Lateral Pinch Grasp
This grasp has the thumb positioned across the index finger closing the web space between these fingers.
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Hyperextended index finger
Tripod grasp where the index finger is extended too far at the DIP (distal interphalangeal joint) due to excessive pressure.

Functional Grasps

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Static Tripod Grasp
4-6 years
A 3 finger grasp where the thumb, index and third finger work together as one unit.

Lateral Tripod Grasp
The index finger lies on top of the pencil with the thumb across the index finger.
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Right handed dynamic tripod grasp
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Left handed dynamic tripod grasp
Dynamic Tripod Grasp
5-7 years
This tripod grasp is held by the first three fingers which move independently to the 4th and 5th fingers.  The web space is open and becomes circular.
Your Kids OT
It is not uncommon for a child to use lots of different grasps. 

A few more things to consider:-
  • Where does the pencil rests on the hand whilst your child holds their pencil.  Does it rest on the web space between the thumb and index finger? Does the pencil move during writing into different positions along the web space? It shouldn't.
  • Where along the shaft of the pencil does your child place their fingers? The pencil should be held about 2cm from the nib.
  • Does your child hook their wrist when holding the pencil? This is more common in left-handed children but can be seen in right-handed children as well.  Your child should have a slightly extended wrist whilst writing.

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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*** EDITED*** Purchase a copy of the
PENCIL GRASP REFERENCE SHEET HERE!
Also available at our TPTstore. 



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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.

Cindy
10/2/2014 05:19:18 am

I'm so glad that you found the photos of the pencil grasps useful!

Steph
14/2/2014 04:59:49 am

Hi Cindy,

I found the pictures very helpful. As a teacher I am curious to know what you, other OTs, think about pencil grips to help students with their handwriting. Is there a specific type you would recommend?

Your Kids OT link
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

Val
7/9/2014 09:33:53 am

What a great website!

Cindy @ Your Kids OT link
7/9/2014 10:11:49 am

Thank you Val. Please let your friends and colleagues know too!

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.

Thanks for the info!
Alexia F ;)

Cindy @ Your Kids OT link
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.

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

Cindy @ Your Kids OT link
9/11/2014 11:28:47 am

Thanks for your lovely comment and i'm pleased you found the article useful.

Charity link
28/1/2015 11:54:54 pm

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?

Cindy @ Your Kids OT link
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.

Charity link
29/1/2015 08:14:19 am

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.

Cindy @ Your Kids OT link
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.

Denise link
21/4/2015 02:49:57 am

The correct way to hold a pencil can be easily taught from one pencil. Quirkpencil.com

Cindy @ Your Kids OT link
30/7/2015 07:47:17 am

I would be happy to trial this pencil if you contact me.

Denise link
30/7/2015 05:31:30 pm

https://vimeo.com/130520778


Comments are closed.

    Author

    Hi, 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.

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Disclaimer: The information on this site is general in nature and should be used for educational  and entertainment purposes. The activities are safe for most children, however, you should consult an Occupational Therapist or health professional to address specific movement, sensory or other medical conditions.  This blog does not replace formal therapeutic professional advice given by a health professional or medical practitioner.  Reviews and endorsements of products will only be made based on my expertise and personal opinion; and deemed worthy of such endorsement. The opinions shared in sponsored content will always be my own and not that of the advertising company or brand. Content, advertising space or posts will be clearly identified if paid, affiliated or sponsored.  Affiliate links may  be found throughout this website in advertising. This means that if you follow through with a purchase from these links, Your Kids OT will receive a percentage of the sale. Your Kids OT undertakes to meet the requirements of the "Social Media Policy" as published by Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).  Further information about this policy can be found here.

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Hi, 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.

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