Helping 8yo hold a pencil properly!

[Devora]

My dd has just turned 8, and is doing very well at school. Except for her handwriting, which according to her school report has actually declined over the last year.

My dp noticed earlier that she is gripping her pencil incorrectly, kind of pinching it all at one point rather than balancing it between her fingers. Which could explain a lot. I feel a bit daft that I haven't noticed this before, but nor have school.

We've been showing her how to do it, but of course she's very used to doing it her way now, and a bit resistant to change. Any tips on how to help a child this age learn to grip properly?

Ds has been given a large pencil grip by the occupational therapist,.

IMO you can't teach anyone to hold a pencil "correctly". Children's writing is still developing at this age and no matter how much you try they will always revert to holding their pencil in a way that is comfortable for them. Try not to worry, be pleased everything else at school is going well, this will sort itself over time.

Ah, leaving things to sort themselves out over time is kind of my default position to parenthood. Was just worried I'd done a little too much of that in this case . But if you're giving me permission to carry on, Sherbey...

Is her pencil grip causing her problems? Often when children "pinch" it makes writing painful, slow, and jerky so needs correcting. It really won't sort itself out

Yes, mrz, her handwriting is painfully slow and uneven. Her teachers say the quality of hercworkvis very high but she is very slow. The grip looks painful to me - like RSI waiting to happen.

Context is that at end Y2 she was above average in everything except handwriting where shecwas below average. School report said it had actually declined since Y1.

I don't know whether I'm more annoyed with myself or the school for not picking up on this sooner.

W're going through this with dd in year 4, they're even talking about taking her pen license as way.

She holds her pen wrong g by choice in a fist but I have always made her correct it(ex teacher). Obviously not a lot I can do during the school day.

She says her hand hurts when writing(and with other things). Currently having physio and X Rays as there was thought it was an old injury.

Soooo I wonder if correcting grip is the right thing to do and in the long run the best thing to do or is a comfortable grip of choice better?

Try getting them to write on a sloping desk, occupational therapist is getting hold of one for Ds as she says it helps bring his hand into better postition

My dd7 is like this too. I got her pencil grips off amazon. They're blue and red rubber and have individual spaces for three fingers. They make a massive difference but the minute she forgets to put them on her pencil she goes back to her claw position. I've also been recommend tripod pencils. The triangular shape seems to encourage her to hold it correctly. Find using these easier than trying to get her to remember to put grips on pencils

Stabilo pencils are good. Try the 5plus age one. They come in left and right handed and you can pick them up from supermarkets or on line.

I would not correct a pencil grip unless it was causing problems for the child - painful/speed/fluency.

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

DS struggled for a long time with pencil grip it was really hindering his writing. His teachers tried lots if things to help - pencil grips were good, as was using a writing slope.

Also they used a method called pinch and flip which helped him. m.youtube.com/watch?v=R6avFsade84&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DR6avFsade84

My thinking would be to secure her mark making skills at the next level down from where she is now. I'm thinking lots of painting at easels and the like. Also, extra visits to the park; climbing is great for building up the foundational muscles necessary for writing. It would also be worth asking for a referral to Occupational Therapy either via GP or the school nurse to help your dd progress.

Wow, lots of good advice here. Thanks very much, everybody; much appreciated.