Open Discussion Forum

Hi,

I'd like to ask for advise about ideas on how can I help my 3 yrs old students to improve thei pencil/ crayon holding skills.

thank you!

------------------------------
Johanna B.
Miami FL
------------------------------

Hello!

Before children can achieve appropriate pencil grips, their bodies and hands must be fully developed to support the task. I always look to occupational therapists when it comes to advice on this and handwriting.

Here are a few links you might check out.

Mama OT
http://mamaot.com/developmental-progression-of-pencil-grasp/

Marianne Gibbs - Write Out of the Box
https://www.writeoutofthebox.com/tips.html

OT Mom Learning Activities
https://www.ot-mom-learning-activities.com/pencil-grasp.html

------------------------------
Stacy Benge, M.S.
Presenter/ Child Development Specialist
Texas
www.StacyBenge.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-06-2019 01:13 PM
From: Johanna Bringeri
Subject: Pencil/ crayon holding

Hi,

I'd like to ask for advise about ideas on how can I help my 3 yrs old students to improve thei pencil/ crayon holding skills.

thank you!

------------------------------
Johanna B.
Miami FL
------------------------------

Stacy Benge knows!

------------------------------
Travis Davis
TCC Childrens Center
Hurst TX
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-07-2019 09:40 AM
From: Stacy Benge
Subject: Pencil/ crayon holding

Hello!

Before children can achieve appropriate pencil grips, their bodies and hands must be fully developed to support the task. I always look to occupational therapists when it comes to advice on this and handwriting.

Here are a few links you might check out.

Mama OT
http://mamaot.com/developmental-progression-of-pencil-grasp/

Marianne Gibbs - Write Out of the Box
https://www.writeoutofthebox.com/tips.html

OT Mom Learning Activities
https://www.ot-mom-learning-activities.com/pencil-grasp.html

------------------------------
Stacy Benge, M.S.
Presenter/ Child Development Specialist
Texas
www.StacyBenge.com

Original Message:
Sent: 03-06-2019 01:13 PM
From: Johanna Bringeri
Subject: Pencil/ crayon holding

Hi,

I'd like to ask for advise about ideas on how can I help my 3 yrs old students to improve thei pencil/ crayon holding skills.

thank you!

------------------------------
Johanna B.
Miami FL
------------------------------

I agree with Stacy; I have gotten a lot of good advice from Occupational Therapists and Special Education teachers. 

One key point is to give them smaller pencils or crayons, rather than large or chunky ones.  A smaller tool forces them to grasp tighter.  You also can have them ball up and hold a kleenex in the palm of their writing hand to encourage them to use the tripod grasp.  Many opportunities for writing, drawing and building small muscle skills are also important. (Working with playdough, cutting, using tongs or clothespins, etc.)

------------------------------
Janeen Ward
ECED Instructor
Southeast Community College
Lincoln NE
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-06-2019 01:13 PM
From: Johanna Bringeri
Subject: Pencil/ crayon holding

Hi,

I'd like to ask for advise about ideas on how can I help my 3 yrs old students to improve thei pencil/ crayon holding skills.

thank you!

------------------------------
Johanna B.
Miami FL
------------------------------

Thank you!!!!

------------------------------
Johanna B
Miami FL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-07-2019 09:49 AM
From: Janeen Ward
Subject: Pencil/ crayon holding

I agree with Stacy; I have gotten a lot of good advice from Occupational Therapists and Special Education teachers.

One key point is to give them smaller pencils or crayons, rather than large or chunky ones.  A smaller tool forces them to grasp tighter.  You also can have them ball up and hold a kleenex in the palm of their writing hand to encourage them to use the tripod grasp.  Many opportunities for writing, drawing and building small muscle skills are also important. (Working with playdough, cutting, using tongs or clothespins, etc.)

------------------------------
Janeen Ward
ECED Instructor
Southeast Community College
Lincoln NE

Original Message:
Sent: 03-06-2019 01:13 PM
From: Johanna Bringeri
Subject: Pencil/ crayon holding

Hi,

I'd like to ask for advise about ideas on how can I help my 3 yrs old students to improve thei pencil/ crayon holding skills.

thank you!

------------------------------
Johanna B.
Miami FL
------------------------------

Original Message------

Hi,

I'd like to ask for advise about ideas on how can I help my 3 yrs old students to improve thei pencil/ crayon holding skills.

thank you!

------------------------------
Johanna B.
Miami FL
------------------------------

Besides working on the correct grip, we must also remember that there are definite stages of development in growth and writing.  Lisa Murphy (the Oooey Gooey Lady - great website) has an article about the stages.  Link below.

http://www.ooeygooey.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/TWENTY-BASIC-SCRIBBLES.pdf


------------------------------
Melissa Meyer
Madison MS
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-07-2019 04:02 PM
From: Kia Lasley
Subject: Pencil/ crayon holding

 

Hi,

 

I began by having my students practice tracing their name on every activity they do. Something that you probably already utilize. We also implemented a system where they come in and trace their names over a highlighted teacher written name. The idea is that their parents have to sign in everyday and so do they. This gave them extra practice and now several students are writing freely without tracing. The shorter pencils also help a lot. They have small hands so it assist with them gripping and having better control over making lines.

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

 

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is from Church Health for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message.

Original Message------

Hi,

I'd like to ask for advise about ideas on how can I help my 3 yrs old students to improve thei pencil/ crayon holding skills.

thank you!

------------------------------
Johanna B.
Miami FL
------------------------------

I have found that a child is having a hard time with pencil and crayon grip that doing hands on activities and backing away from worksheets is the best way to improve their grips. The way I do this is with lacing activities. I also have smaller toys that require the use of their pincher fingers. If their pencil grip is not strong enough to grip pencils or crayons usually that is a sign to back off a bit. Mostly because you do  not want to keep correcting them and cause them to hate writing. 

Almost always at this age recognizing their name (unless they are showing clear signs of being ready) is enough and having hands on play activities will improve their motor skills better than constant dedicated practice with worksheets. 

Easy puzzles, Play doh, tweezer activities, and simple play with small toys. Also easy board games that require movement of pieces during play. 

I hope this helps!

------------------------------
Temesha (Ms. Tessie) Ragan
Family Child Care IF Facilitator
Perfect Start Learning
Family Child Care Provider
Edwards, CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-06-2019 01:13 PM
From: Johanna Bringeri
Subject: Pencil/ crayon holding

Hi,

I'd like to ask for advise about ideas on how can I help my 3 yrs old students to improve thei pencil/ crayon holding skills.

thank you!

------------------------------
Johanna B.
Miami FL
------------------------------

I agree with Stacey and Tamesha.  Just provide materials that offer fine motor pincer grip skills that the child is interested in. Ideas include making things out of pipe cleaners (bending and twisting), cutting straws and then stringing the straw pieces into a necklace, pushing pegs into peg boards, then pushing them out again, lacing cards, poking golf tees into Styrofoam, etc.  These activities that the children enjoy will strengthen their fine motor muscles so that the child can then have a great pencil grip when their fingers are strong enough.

------------------------------
DeAnn Jones
Co-Facilitator for the Family Child Care Interest Forum
Discovery Place Child Care, LLC
Bozeman, MT
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-07-2019 06:49 PM
From: Temesha Ragan
Subject: Pencil/ crayon holding

I have found that a child is having a hard time with pencil and crayon grip that doing hands on activities and backing away from worksheets is the best way to improve their grips. The way I do this is with lacing activities. I also have smaller toys that require the use of their pincher fingers. If their pencil grip is not strong enough to grip pencils or crayons usually that is a sign to back off a bit. Mostly because you do  not want to keep correcting them and cause them to hate writing.

Almost always at this age recognizing their name (unless they are showing clear signs of being ready) is enough and having hands on play activities will improve their motor skills better than constant dedicated practice with worksheets.

Easy puzzles, Play doh, tweezer activities, and simple play with small toys. Also easy board games that require movement of pieces during play.

I hope this helps!

------------------------------
Temesha (Ms. Tessie) Ragan
Family Child Care IF Facilitator
Perfect Start Learning
Family Child Care Provider
Edwards, CA

Original Message:
Sent: 03-06-2019 01:13 PM
From: Johanna Bringeri
Subject: Pencil/ crayon holding

Hi,

I'd like to ask for advise about ideas on how can I help my 3 yrs old students to improve thei pencil/ crayon holding skills.

thank you!

------------------------------
Johanna B.
Miami FL
------------------------------

Hi!
Regardless of age, children need to develop fine motor skills BEFORE they should be expected to hold a pencil in a tripod or quadrupod grasping pattern.  It's more important for three year-olds to play with fine motor manipulative activities that work on the following components than to practice writing:

Separation of the sides of the hands - use beginner scissors, tongs, large tweezers, crumple paper in one hand
Hand strength - manipulating playdoh with hands, stirring thick doughs during cooking activities, squeezing glue bottles rather than using glue sticks, squeezing other materials, build with duplos
Finger isolation - play finger games/finger plays with songs (Itsy-bitsy spider, etc.), practice putting on gloves, learn to snap, use a toy piano or finger cymbals
Open web space (make an "ok" symbol with your thumb and forefinger - children need to develop the strength and endurance to maintain that position while holding a pencil or crayon with a tripod grasp - and pincer grasp- play "tug of war" with straws using thumb and forefinger, pinch of small pieces of playdoh, roll playdough between thumb and forefinger, color with broken crayons, pop bubble wrap, peel off stickers and place on paper, etc.

In addition, it's very important for children to develop the core stability in their hips, abdomen, back, shoulders and forearms before they are able to have the dexterity at the fingers to grasp and manipulate a pencil or crayon - Stability of the core comes before mobility at the extremities.  Gross motor play including upper body weight bearing is very helpful to perform prior to having children sit down for fine motor or writing activities - crawling through tunnels, bearwalking, wheelbarrow walking, wall pushups, carrying weighted books/blocks, pushing a weighted stroller/shopping cart, pushing weighted boxes, helper tasks such as sweeping, wiping off tables, etc.

Finally, make sure that children are set up for success by being positioned properly at the table in a chair with back support, hips and knees at 90 degrees and feet flat on the floor, with their paper positioned close to them and their "helper hand" on the paper.
Best of luck!

------------------------------
Nicole Schiffmacher
Lecturer/Physical Therapist
St. Joseph's College
Huntington Station NY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-06-2019 01:13 PM
From: Johanna Bringeri
Subject: Pencil/ crayon holding

Hi,

I'd like to ask for advise about ideas on how can I help my 3 yrs old students to improve thei pencil/ crayon holding skills.

thank you!

------------------------------
Johanna B.
Miami FL
------------------------------