THE "ELASTIC BAND" TRICK FOR PENCIL GRIP AND INSIDE "THE HANDWRITING BOOK"!

How does your child hold their pencil?  How do you? Does it really matter how the pencil is held? Well the last question was the subject of my very first blog post and you can read that HERE!

Some of the main aspects of pencil control come from how the pencil is held and how it is manipulated whilst in the hand.  Ideally occupational therapists are looking for the following features when it comes to pencil grasp:

• a pinch (between the pads of the thumb and index finger) of the pencil
• support of the third finger along the pencil
• an "O" shape formed with the thumb and index finger
• the pencil resting in the web space of the hand
• control of the pencil made with this tripod grasp (thumb, index and third fingers) whilst the 4th and 5th fingers are held stable
• wrist straight and resting on the writing surface

Here is a quick "trick" to help with the position of the pencil!

This "trick" (or hack - I don't like the word hack though) is for those kids (and adults) who rest their pencil across the index finger rather than in the web space.

This "trick" will help move the pencil into the web space whilst your child "pinches" it near the nib (where the pencil shaving meets the pencil cover).

This "trick" encourages a more dynamic pencil grasp and open web space. 

What to do?

1. Attach two elastic bands together.
2. Place wrist through one elastic.
3. Place the pencil through the second elastic (you may need to loop it around the pencil).
4. Hold the pencil near the nib.  Start writing!

Considerations!

• Choose the elastic bands carefully - too narrow and they will pinch the skin, too big and they will not hold the pencil with adequate tension.  You may need to make extra loops around the pencil or wrist to work out adequate tension.  You could also try a "hair elastic"!
• Tolerance of the elastic band around the wrist.  Some children (especially those with sensory processing difficulties) may have difficulty coping with the elastic band around the wrist.  You may try this over a long sleeve shirt or a glove.
• This will be more "effort" for your child as the tension of the elastic band will form a resistance during writing.  It will also provide proprioceptive feedback.  Keep initial use of the elastic bands to short durations.
• This is a guide and will not "fix" a pencil grasp.  Children may still use a lateral grasp whilst the elastic bands are attached.

Have you tried the "elastic band trick"? Do you know a child who might benefit from trying this?

I’m excited to report that The Handwriting Book has already reached hundreds of people so far this week!

Thank you for wanting to learn more about how to support handwriting development in kids and for being excited about using new handwriting strategies and ideas in your home, classroom, or therapy practice.

Would you like to know more??

Who is The Handwriting Book for - therapists, teachers, or parents?

The answer is...all of the above!  The information in this book is perfect for parents who are trying to support their kids in the development of handwriting skills.

Therapists will love having all of the handwriting information, tips, and strategies they need right at their fingertips as they work with kids and write evaluations and goals for the students on their caseloads.  

The Handwriting Book is also great for teachers who are looking for information and ideas to support handwriting development in the students in their classrooms.

Can I get a print copy of The Handwriting Book?

Not quite yet...if we continue to get a lot of requests for a print copy of the book, we may consider adding an option to purchase the book on Amazon in the future, but for now, the book will be available only as a pdf format ebook.

What was your contribution to The Handwriting Book?

The Handwriting Book is the result of a year long collaboration between 10 dedicated therapy bloggers who are all experienced pediatric therapists from across the globe! We have each written a contribution to the book and have worked together to bring you this unique reference. 

We have been working to bring you our knowledge, experience, tips and tricks ...  creating the ultimate guide to handwriting!

The Handwriting Book will provide you with evidence based practice as well as tried and tested practical tips!

The Handwriting book covers:

• The Developmental Progression of Pencil Grasp and Handwriting Strokes
• Fine Motor Skills
• Gross Motor Skills
• Sensory Considerations
• Visual Perceptual Skills
• Tips and Strategies for the Reluctant Writer
• Ideas for Combining Handwriting and Play
• Activities to Practice Handwriting Skills at Home
• Tips for Sizing, Spacing, and Alignment in Written Work

More questions or comments about THE HANDWRITING BOOK? Just comment on the blog or email me.  Don't forget to use #thehandwritingbook on social media when commenting about the book!

Do you have a favourite "therapist tip" from the book?

Get 25% off with the discount code: HANDWRITINGHELP1 
**Valid until 29th January, 2017 **

DON'T FORGET THE FREE PRINTABLES ARE NOW AVAILABLE UNTIL THE 29TH JANUARY, 2017!
GET YOUR COPY TODAY!

PURCHASE THE HANDWRITING BOOK NOW

Thank you again for those who have supported me with the purchase of this new e-book! I really hope that you find it a useful resource that you will continue to refer to again and again!

CindyChuan is a registered Occupational Therapist practising in Sydney Australia.  She has two young children who are a constant source of inspiration and learning.  Cindy loves working creatively to help children to reach their potential, finding opportunities in everyday living and making learning fun.

Cindy is the author of the Occupational Therapy blog Your Kids OT.

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More great tricks:

Card Holding Tricks!

Pom Pom Trick!

Tummy Time Tips!