Learning to hold a pencil correctly

[Kerryblue]

I have 2 older children who both hold their pencils incorrectly. (aged 7 and 10). It is obviously now impossible to change this and despite buying them aids to help, both find holding pens and pencils in the tripod grip uncomfortable and clumsy. So..... I have given up on them and resigned myself to messy handwriting!!

I also have dt's who are 4 next week and who are both showing signs of holding their pencils incorrectly - panic!! I have bought them stabilo pencils but these don't work. They just point the pencil away from them rather than resting it in the bit between their thumb and index finger iyswim. I know why they do this - so they can see what they are writing. BUT how can I help them not to do this?

I vaguely remember seeing pencils in the shape of a stone??? Or am I going mad . Any ideas what these might be and if they actually work? Any hints and tips from you lovely teachers? They just seem to get really cross if I try and correct them all the time!

TIA

Anyone?

Possibly the Evo pen
www.specialdirect.com/Product.aspx?cref=TTSPR1590381&rid=373&cid=19

It isn't too late for your older children to improve

Really, how. With the same type of things pens/pencils? Just practicing with those do you mean?

I have to admit, i thought they were beyond help now!!

Half size pencils help. You can also get little charms they hold in the palm of their hands with hoops that go around their wrists - sounds complicated, but they work. I can't remember what they are called (and have just googled but can't find them) but someone in special needs with a dyspraxic child may be able to help.

I managed to get my then Year 3 (8 year old) DD to change to a tripod grip with the help of an occupational therapist. Not sure of the technical name for it but DD had been wrapping her thumb round the front of the pen/pencil. She was able to get away with it in infants school, but it made her writing really slow and quite painful when she had to speed up in Yr 3.

The OT put a thin hairband (type you get in school uniform shops) on DD's wrist, then looped another one through this (the second loop should be fairly small so might need to double loop). She then put the end of the pencil through the top loop. This stopped the pencil from being upright and made it sit more naturally in a flatter position between her thumb and first finger. She told DD to pinch her thumb and first finger around the pencil, with the second finger balancing underneath and to think "pinch, pinch, hide".

DD had to wear the band at school for about 2-3 months, and every afternoon after school I got her to practice for about 5-10 mins using the grip - not necessarily writing, colouring was fine so long as she used the correct grip.

It took quite a while for the tripod grip to become her natural one - when she got tired she did used to slip back to her old ways. But 6 months on, her grip is fine. So it is possible, but it did take quite a bit of work.

DD has Stockmar block crayons witch art impossible to hold any other way, they are unbreakable and last for ever so not cheap.
good luck.

I would start by finding out if the older children know how to form letters correctly, where they start, direction and sequence of movements. While the tripod grip is considered the most effective it isn't the only effective way to hold a pencil/pen so it is worth looking at grip.
There can be a number of physical reasons for poor writing and it is worth investigating.

www.northumberlandcaretrust.nhs.uk/services/services-files/community-health-service-files/childrens-occupational-therapy/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Handwriting.pdf

DS's Occupational Therapist (he's 7) corrected his grip to tripod with a social story so it's not necessarily too late for your middle child.

Corrie and Dilys how did you go about getting an occupational therapist? thanks

Assigned one by LA as a result of his ASD diagnosis, so presumably no help to you I'm afraid.

As a SENCO I can make direct referrals to OT service in my LA but your GP/school nurse should be able to support a referral if this isn't possible in your area.

thanks - would you care to share the social story? No worries if not...

I'll see if I can dig it out. It was about Peter the Pilot and how he flew his plane using different fingers as crew - defo too babyish for an 11 year old but worth trying for your other 3.