Teaching a toddler how to hold a pen/pencil

[IWillOnlyEatBeans]

DS is 2.3 and uses his fist grip for drawing (scribbling!)

I was just wondering if I am meant to teach him how to hold a pen/pencil properly and if so - when and how?? Or is it something he will learn ar pre-school/school (I am SAHM so he is currently at home with me full time and will be until he's 3.5 I think)

I hold my pen wrong and am not even sure I know the 'correct' way to do it (my writing is lovley and neat though!)

I can't give you the answer i'm afraid, my ds is almost 4 and still uses a fist grip too! But, i thought i might suggest you post in the primary school board as i think i've seen threads about this there and also about with getting those pencil grippers is helpful or not.
You may get some lovely primary school teachers to help :)

Ds is 2.11 and correct pencil grip has developed naturally. First they do fist grip, then the index finger pointing straight down the pencil, then proper pencil grip. Only worry if he gets to this stage and is doing it wrong. Don't force him to hold it correctly. Triangular pencils also help. HTH x x

we had problems with dd 5, she is a difficult one as she is left handed but was born missing her left hand so obviously has to use her right and was still using fist grip when she started reception, we had long chats with both teacher and ot and they said we needed to let her use different size pencils/pens/crayons to find a size she is more comfortable with, and its worked we were also advised to get some tweezers and let her practice picking small things up with them as this helps to develop their pincer grip for holding pens/pencils correctly...we did have this problem in nursery but they say you shouldnt use pencil grippers as it is a natural progression from fist grip to pincer grip

I read on here that if you lay the pen down in front of them with the nib nearest to them, they will pick it up the right way. Sounded so bizarre I tried it with DD and it worked! Don't ask me how - but worth a try

They do if differently and naturally in their own time. Usually fist grip first then progress in their own time. Dd started holding a pencil properly at 20months, not sure how she taught herself though

My DS (4) at school gets told to show his "pincer grip" to the teacher before he picks his pencil up. Seems to have worked. Thanks Octonauts :)

I think there's plenty of time for it to develop naturally yet. It does in most children. If it ever becomes a problem it is then usually picked up and dealt with in school.

As a teacher, I would strongly recommend encouraging the pencil is held properly when your child starts taking an interest in being more accurate than scribbling i.e. when they start trying to form letters/trace patterns (around 3 yo). I have had a handful of children at year 3 (7-8 year olds) who have found it extremely difficult to change their bad habits - it really impacts on their work because the correct pencil grip is so alien.

With DS (3.5), I remind him and show him the correct pencil grip every time he draws at home. After a month it has become very natural - but occasionally, I still have to remind him.