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Primary education

Pencil grip

10 replies

Crystalline · 05/10/2016 10:18

My DD is in Year 2 and is left-handed. She told me yesterday that her teacher had told her that she is holding her pen/pencil incorrectly and should be using a standard tripod grip. She was a bit upset because she couldn't control the pencil properly that way.
Having had a quick browse on the internet, I'm pretty sure that she is currently using what looks like a "lateral quodrupod grip". FWIW she has excellent pen control (has always been a good and tidy 'artist'). Her writing is a bit messy at the moment, but I think this is because she is not concentrating on letter formation when she's writing.
I am also left-handed, and from googling, I've discovered that I use a "lateral tripod grip". My writing is, and always has been, neat, though I admit it can be tiring after a while.

My gut-response was to encourage her not to worry about it and to carry on writing as she is. I'm not sure it's worth the upset of re-learning, when the tripod grip is not coming naturally.

But am I wrong? Is there a good reason to go through the pain of trying to re-learn this?

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MrsDc7 · 05/10/2016 10:25

Hi, I'm left handed too but I write with the standard tripod grasp. I have in the past written with the same method as your daughter and it was very uncomfortable after a while. This could set her at a disadvantage during exams etc. I would advise to try relearning the grip as she is very young still xx

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MrsDc7 · 05/10/2016 10:26

You can buy grips online that can help with this btw xx

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Crystalline · 05/10/2016 10:31

MrsDc7 - do you remember when you changed your grasp (ie what sort of age)?
I should point out that she is not writing in any sort of 'clawed' way. Her pen is above/in front of her hand.

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Ginmummy1 · 05/10/2016 10:35

Is this the first time it has been mentioned at the school? I'd have thought that, if it were important, the Reception and Y1 teacher would have mentioned it. I'd be a bit irritated if they have waited until Y2 to raise this!

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Crystalline · 05/10/2016 10:43

Ginmummy1 - no it's never been mentioned before. Or at least, it have never been mentioned to me either by a teacher or via DD.

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Crystalline · 05/10/2016 10:44

"it has never...."

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MrsDc7 · 05/10/2016 11:01

Early primary age - this was years ago though. I agree with Gin though - it should have been mentioned earlier xx

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Crystalline · 05/10/2016 11:10

She's been holding her pencil like this for a v long time, which is why I'm concerned about unraveling it - she had 'mature' control and distinct handedness at a v young age. I'm going to have to talk to the teacher, aren't I? Still not sure how I feel about it though. I suppose as a leftie I'm feeling a bit defensive about my own writing style, though I realise that perhaps it could have been easier to learn a different way.

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MrsDc7 · 05/10/2016 11:57

Yes I think the best thing to do is speak to the teacher and air your concerns. If your daughter is comfortable and well establish writing how she currently is, they may well agree to leave her as she is xx