Pencil grasp questions are common with parents so I will try and provide some thoughts on the matter. There are lots of components that go into handwriting competence (see my previous blog on handwriting ), but the most obvious one is grasp. How do grasps develop? Children learn to grasp objects from the time that they shake a rattle. Development begins at the core (proximal) and develops outward (distally). So, if you don't have good core you may have difficulty with handwriting. Efficient handwriting uses the small, intrinsic muscles of the hand. These intrinsic muscles are designed for dexterity, not strength. The muscles on the side of your thumb are your movers and the ones near your pinky finger are your stabilizers. A proper grasp ensures that handwriting is being produced by these small muscles so that there is a precise between movement and stabilization. How are our toys changing grasps? Kids learn proper grasp patterns by playing with fine motor toys, finger foods, and coloring. This develops and refines over time. However, as toys change, so do fine motor exposure. Small pieces in toys have long since been replace with big pieces due to choking hazards. Thus, a reduction in exposure to small toys/parts requiring dexterity. What does a proper / functional grasp look like? A functional grasp is one that allows the little muscles of the hand to work, not the big one. There are 3 optimal grasps: Dynamic Tripod, Modified Quadrupod, and the Adapted Tripod Grasp. What does an inefficient grasp look like? A child should start developing an efficient grasp by their fifth birthday or within that year. Most inefficient grasps are developed, not only from lack of proper fine motor toys/experiences, but also from writing /drawing with large or heavy markers and pencils, along with just writing too early (before the hand has fully developed). This creates habits which can be hard to break. Here are some pics of INEFFICIENT GRASPS: How can I improve my child's grasp? Around the age of 3, I recommend using crayons that have been broken down to no more than 1" long. If your child still tends to put everything in the mouth, then you'll want to either supervise or wait until they have kicked the habit. For girls, DO NOT, I say, DO NOT break them in front of them as their heart may break! For boys, they will enjoy it and will likely help you in breaking the rest of the crayons in the house. :--) Activities that strengthen grasp are: 1) clothespins 2) spray bottles 3)picking up coins and putting into piggy bank 4) hiding and seeking beads/coins in theraputty or in PlayDough 5) stringing beads (start with large and go smaller as child improves) 6) craft projects with scissors, stampers, hole punchers, etc 7) allow child the time to get dressed fully by him/herself 8) if you need more ideas, go Google crazy! There are tons of great posts by O.T.s and teacher My child doesn't have a good grasp, but the handwriting is fine. Should I worry? If your child is past 1st grade them changing grasp is quite difficult. Having an inefficient grasp will not make your child lose vocational ability. For the most part, an inefficient grasp may cause issues as the demands of amount and speed of handwriting increase (think middle school). Your child may complain of : hand fatigue, arm fatigue, not keeping up with note taking, and sometimes a callous on the middle or ring finger. Cursive may be more difficult to execute because it requires more precision and flow. If the student is past 1st grade, I simply show him/her some options for a grasp (such as the adapted tripod below) and explain why and what they can do when their hand hurts from writing.
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![]() OT Rating: 4.5 Stars I am in love with Funfusion beads all over again. These are a great fine motor activity for kids aged 4 years and up (or younger, if you buy the new "biggies"). You can buy an assortment of pegboard shapes, and beads (see the new glow in the dark to the left). Your child puts one bead on each peg and then a grownup covers it with wax paper and irons it for several seconds and WOW, you have a fun project! ![]() Skills this activity works on: fine motor, dexterity(lots of that), color discrimination, eye hand coordination, visual motor, visual perceptual, and pincer grasp. What I really like as a parent: they are pretty inexpensive and offer a fun and non-threatening way to make art. Even my 5 year old son LOVES them! Tip: Lay a sheet under work area so it is easier to clean up the tiny beads. Where to buy: Michaels- Use your 40% off coupon! |
About the blogger: Stephanie Wick is a pediatric occupational therapist that founded and is lead O.T. at Learning Charms.
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February 2021
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