Pen Grip - DS 10 - Advice needed please!

[hoping2016]

Hi everyone!

I've recently discovered that my son (Year 6, 11 in July) is not holding his pen in the tripod grip. I can't believe I've not noticed this before, so either its changed more recently or I missed it! I've been googling and there are suggestions that this can cause problems when writing at length as they get older, main problem being writing slower and also possible pain.

I've also read that after the age of 8/9years it is very difficult to change!

Feel like i've let him down on this and would like to correct if at all possible!! I dont really know where to go for help so thought I'd post here first! If anyone can advise me on this I'd be ever so grateful! Thanks in advance

I write exactly the same.
I have very neat writing, but people always comment on the weird way I hold my pen. I find it do uncomfortable to tripod hold it.

What does the school say? You can get pens and one it's that encouraging the correct grip ( ie one that helps reduce pain and discomfort). Both my daughters use the same grip as your son. The lens didn't help them. They are hyper mobile. My son is 'normal' but has dyslexia whereas the girls don't!

id follow advice from school

You can get various grips from Amazon etc that support a tripod grip. I have just got some for my daughter (in Reception).

However, as your DC is older then I would see what the school has to say as it will be harder to change at his age. Tbh, I think it is only a problem if it will affect writing stamina and/or is uncomfortable. I don't use a tripod grip but it has never affected my ability to write quickly, clearly and at length under exam conditions etc. So, I don't think it is necessarily an issue for him.

As a lefty that appears to be a very common grip for someone writing with their left hand. The best advice I can give is that you search for some left-handed writing YouTube videos done by actual left-handers. They will be able to provide more in-depth advice for how your child can learn to write comfortably and effectively with their left hand.It really is different from writing with your right hand. It may seem strange for right-handed people, but writing with the left-hand from left to right create some unique challenges that the hook grip your child is using solves.

That’s not really a hook grip. It curls round more, so the writer is pushing the pen across the paper.

Theres no reason why left handed people can’t be taught to write without hooking. I was taught to write ‘properly’ and there are things like angling the paper that can help.

Tripod grip aids, are indeed useful for many, but the important thing is that he is able to write legibly and comfortably.

I don’t hold my pen properly and I can assure you it has never held me back. As I got older and exams got longer I did find it uncomfortable eg towards the end of a 3 hour exam. But not debilitating. If your DS isn’t complaining I’d leave him to it.

I hold my pen like that. And was always one of the top in art etc, I don't think makes much difference?

True, though it is similar in that the pen is being pushed against the page in this grip too. While it never really held me back, it does mean that handwriting does tend to be a little bit more difficult, especially when younger and that kind of grip is very taxing on fingers and wrist, which can cramp when doing extended bits of writing. I disliked exams in high school for this reason.
Because of this, I have tried to teach myself alternative grips but this is particularly difficult once you have written a certain way for many years. I definitely think it’s a good idea for the original poster to look into more effective ways as her child is still young. One solution is rotating the placement of the paper, which allowed the pen to be pulled rather than pushed.

At the end of the day, if comfortable and not getting in the way of normal writing I don’t think it is something to worry about.

You can get twist n write pens and pencils which are shaped a little like a capital Y where you put the index finger through the gap between the uprights and thumb and middle finger go round. I like them for grip, and because they so support the new had done position they don’t seem to tire the hand out.

Thank you to everyone for your replies!! Reassuring to hear some of you have a similar grip too. Will look into the y grip pen as well. Thanks again

Definitely take advice keeping in mind he is a lefty. He probably developed his own grip to be able to read what he writes, so not sure what is the best recommended adaptive grip in this case