Start Reception and can't hold a pen

[BlueberryPancake]

DS is nearly 5 and has never been keen on drawing and colouring, but I thought he would get better as he is getting older. He still can't hold a pen correctly, his grip is all over the place. I have (please don't tell me off) started doing a ten minutes a day colouring and practicing letters with him (more like tracing loop the loop, straight lines, curvy lines, etc) and give him a treat afterwards like a sticker or a star biscuit. After three-four days of doing this he is better, and much more willing (he looks like he is actually enjoying it and has done his first ever drawing - of a Ben ten monster of course). Am I wrong to 'force' it on him? Is there another way? I have been waiting for him to be 'ready' but it never happened! Any tips on what works with boys?

Crabby fingers they call it, ask the reception teacher to show you or how they teach it; don't worry, it is their job to teach this. 2 of my DC didn't manage it, either (One of them, DD, is now 8yo and writes 8 page stories for fun).

He certainly isn't unusual to start school unable to hold a pen correctly
If he enjoys what you are doing that's ok but don't force him if he's not in the mood

Ds doesn't quite hold a pen correctly either but to be honest he is closer than me so I've left well alone . His grip is not far off but holds it at a strange angle.

My mum taught me to right before I started to school but unfortunately with the same wacky pen grip as her. I sort of rest it on the outside of my first finger between the first and second joint.

It caused me no end of grief at school with teachers going mad about it but my handwriting is good and I just couldn't change.

Ds is getting really good at drawing and can write his name so I decided I'd leave it alone until school rather than teaching him my bad habits.

He is nearly 5 and starting monday btw.

Write not right!

Don't worry, my son was just like this. He was very resistant to doing anything vaguely approaching writing (including colouring!) before he started Reception so I didn't try as I didn't want to put him off. He just wasn't ready and didn't have the right muscle control. He is now going into Year 1 and holds a pencil beautifully! His writing is not particularly great still, but miles better than this time last year.

If your son enjoys the activities you give him and they seem to be helping I would continue. I just didn't do this with my son as it was like pulling teeth! It will get easier with time though as he develops his fine motor skills and he is still young to be 'ready'.

Hope he enjoys Reception!

I wouldn't worry too much about it. The teacher may have some of those special 'grips' that help children hold the pen correctly.

If he holds the pen incorrectly, that is a bigger problem, as it is very difficult to correct once established (so my ex-primary teacher mother says!)

DOn't worry, a lot of children won't have a correct hand grip. DS2 still can't hold a pen properly more than 70% of the time but he dies have other issues.