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

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

Radial Cross Palmer
0-2 years
Pencil positioned across palm held with a fisted hand.

Palmer Supinate
1-2 years
Pencil held like a dagger.

Digital Pronate Grasp
2-3 years
All fingers hold the pencil and the palm faces down towards the page.

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).

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Inefficient Grasps

Inter-digital Brace
The pencil is held between the fingers of the hand.

Thumb Tuck grasp
The thumb is tucked under the first three fingers or wrapped around them.

Key or Lateral Pinch Grasp
This grasp has the thumb positioned across the index finger closing the web space between these fingers.

Hyperextended index finger
Tripod grasp where the index finger is extended too far at the DIP (distal interphalangeal joint) due to excessive pressure.

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Functional Grasps

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

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Lateral Tripod Grasp
The index finger lies on top of the pencil with the thumb across the index finger.

Right handed dynamic tripod grasp

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?

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

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