School starter can't hold a pen yet

[Indecisivelurcher]

My ds goes to school in Sept and can't yet hold a pencil properly. He holds it in his fist rather than tripod. He's not really colouring things in yet as a result, much less writing. I have been trying to do things to improve his hand strength but not seen much change yet. Gross motor seems OK to me, although he's a slight boy rather than stocky and strong. I know it's a development thing but I am a bit concerned he'll be starting school in Sept unable to colour or write. Should I be worrying?! And what more can I do, in any case?!

I wouldn't worry about a tripod grip when entering Reception - yes, it's nice if it's established, but it's seriously nothing to worry about if it's not (former EYFS teacher here).

Agree with playdough, snipping with scissors is actually really good for fine motor control (as a PP said, just snipping a strip of paper), using pegs (as another PP said) to transfer/pick things up; if you have a roll of lining paper (or old wallpaper - use the back), roll it out on the floor (outside if it's a nice day and you have space - and if he likes being outdoors!) and use crayons to make marks on it - this is good as the movements will come from the shoulder and elbow, which are essential to build movements from the wrist/hand; twirling bubble wands/ribbons; energetic dance moves - anything that gets the shoulders engaged!; painting a fence with water in the sunshine (they say it's coming back!).

Just generally things that get arms/wrists/hands moving. They will work on establishing a tripod grip at school - there are things you can do to promote/create it - but I wouldn't worry about doing that at home. 😊

DS just finished Reception. I honestly don't know how he was holding a pencil a year ago, I didn't know it was something I was meant to check. He had no interest in colouring either but I think that was just interest rather than an actual motor skill issue.

Our school said they would ideally like all children starting to be accident free as far as toileting goes, able to recognise their name and able to get dressed and undressed without help. No mention of pencil grips.

I've got an older Dd and I didn't even think about this. It is clear that ds is behind where she was. However sounds like I don't need to worry overly, just carry on creating / taking opportunities to improve hand strength.

If preschool mentioned it, what did they suggest? Physio? GP referral? You must action this all immediately.

@Oblomov21

If preschool mentioned it, what did they suggest? Physio? GP referral? You must action this all immediately.

A GP referral for a 4 year old who can’t write yet? Really?

@Oblomov21

If preschool mentioned it, what did they suggest? Physio? GP referral? You must action this all immediately.

For goodness sake, don't be so bloody dramatic.

Schools and pre-schools need to let parents know their children's strengths and also areas to work on.

The OP is already doing lots of great things. Some of us have given her a few more ideas. Plenty of pp have reassured her with their own personal experiences.

Fwiw, I've taught Foundation Stage in the past and it's very common for boys to start school with poorer fine motor skills and poorer pencil control than most girls. It usually works out in the end, it might just take them a little longer to get there.

@Oblomov21 no, they asked if his gross motor seemed OK at home and suggested play dough 😂

My DS’s gross motor skills aren’t great. He’s not brilliant at kicking or throwing a ball, he’s a bit uncoordinated (I suspect mild dyspraxia) and he couldn’t write when starting in Reception (at 4 years 1 month) but he picked it up quickly once at school. (I also noticed his bum wiping hugely improved when his writing did). He’s 7 now and his writing is gorgeous although he still holds a spoon in a fist and isn’t great at cutting with scissors or cutting his food - but we work on it all.

DS was a reluctant writer and only really got the proper grip in year 1. In reception he jist wouldn't do it so they taught him phonics and letters using sand or block letters or paint, which took the pressure off writing
He still hates it, but ot actually hurt his hand for ages and we didn't know. Using a thicker pencil or one with a grip on it has made a huge difference.

Schools are more than used to kids like ours

I didn't mean to be dramatic. It may be totally totally normal and absolutely nothing to worry about. It is in most children, all developing at different times. It's very common and just needs working at. Like all the other posters have said, things like play dough help.

But it may need extra help and support. None of us have any idea how bad motor skills may be. And it may need help later on. I still think just a mention to health visitor or better still the GP, just so that a note can be put on his file could help.

Then if no help is needed later no harm is done. But if you do need a referral, and some primary children do, then you can say ' oh I mentioned this, there's a note on his file, from August 21.

If you never need the help great. If you do, in some areas the wait time for any speech therapist, or anyone in occupational therapy to assess the 4 functions, is horrendous.