How do I fix this (handwriting)? Or do I leave it alone? Pic inside

[TyraTooters]

This is my seven year old. He curls his wrist in/down like that every single time. No matter how many times or ways I show him. Which (I think) makes his handwriting messier.

[alisoncooks]

Both of mine (6 and 8) want to "hook" their wrists (much more pronounced than in your photo).  It has just taken LOTS and LOTS of reminders.  My 8 year old rarely does it now.  My 6 year old gets 2-3 reminders any time she is writing something.

 

ETA:  when youngest is doing this, I make her move her paper to a more comfortable angle/position, one that doesn't allow for the space to hook her wrist.

[Cosmos]

I think the hook is due at least in part to poor grip. See how the pencil is sticking up next to his index finger knuckle. You want it resting down in the crease where the thumb meets the rest of the hand. It doesn't have to be all the way down; there's room for some variation. But it should not be sticking up vertically as your ds is holding it. Look at the pictures on this page.

 

Once the pencil is lying more horizontally that will automatically put his hand below the writing line rather than at it. Does that make sense? The pencil will be pointing out past his fingers rather than straight down below them.

 

One tip is to tell him to tap his index finger on the pencil before beginning to write. When he lifts his finger to tap, the pencil should fall down in the correct position. It's also a good way to get the hand to relax, for those who grip the pencil too tightly.

 

I would definitely work on correcting it. I'm helping my teenage ds correct some handwriting issues, and it would have been so much better to do years ago!

 

ETA: Looking at the picture again, I really don't think it is a hook. That wrist is nice and straight. It's really a grip and pencil position issue IMO.

[Doodlebug]

We use this grip.  OT friends recommended it.

 

DS is pretty dependent on this grip, which may not be great... but it got the ball rolling in the right direction.  

Stella 

 

 

[acsnmama]

Get some Ticonderoga Triangle pencils. They have the larger ones for younger kids, or the regular size triangular pencils. I was able to correct my sons improper grip with these, and I've taught my daughter proper grip from the beginning with these pencils. There are many great grips out there, but I like the triangular pencils more, no grips needed, no extra bulk for little hands, and makes it easy to transition to a regular round pencil.

 

Here are the beginner pencils (fat ones):

http://www.amazon.com/Dixon-Ticonderoga-Triangular-Wood-Cased-13082/dp/B000PTQCN0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1409254051&sr=8-3&keywords=ticonderoga+triangular+pencils

[Tanikit]

I would start by tilting the paper so that it is slanted (upper left corner lower than the upper right corner) as this should make his whole arm and hand position more natural.  I would insist on that initially and then re evaluate his grip as it may need work, but with a more natural wrist position that allows more freedom of movement you may find that things improve without too much grip change.

[Ellie]

Oh, yes, I'd work on that.

 

Buy a pencil grip, tilt the paper properly and tape it to the table (if necessary, tape it to the table), maybe give him a fountain pen instead of a pencil. Always tear pages out of workbooks so they can lie flat on the table.

[TyraTooters]

The hook in this picture isn't as bad as it is at other times. But it's not severe. I agree, it's mostly a grip and non-slanted paper issue. I can't get him to change anything. At all. Only thing I haven't tried is the triangle pencils and pencil grips. When I try to get him to correct it he gets highly upset and then he wants to quit/has a meltdown. I really think that once we get a proper grip his handwriting will greatly improve!!

[Guest]

ds has been melting down over how much he's forgotten during the summer, including proper pencil grip. Could that be happening with your son as well? We're ramping up slowly and allowing time for feelings, both his and mine, if that helps at all.

 

He uses golf pencils, which helps.

 

Does anyone have any experience (positive or negative) with these:

 

http://www.amazon.com/TWIST-PENAGAIN-CHILDRENS-PENCILS-4-Pack/dp/B00CBU1H3Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409259861&sr=8-1&keywords=penagain+twist+n+write ?

 

He thought they were stupid until he saw a picture of how they work in an actual hand and now he wants some. I'm a total sucker after reteaching an older sibling a proper pencil grip at the age of 9, but I want him to try Stetro Grips

 

http://www.amazon.com/Stetro-Pencil-Grips-Assorted-Colors/dp/B000KIEJKE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1409260089&sr=8-2&keywords=stetro+grip

 

first before we get hooked on all the plastic and expense and "What's wrong with you that you can't even use normal pencils?" comments from random strangers.

 

Ellie, thank you for all your help and insight with this issue. It runs in our family and yes, my grandfather was a doctor.

[Farrar]

The first thing I'd try is tilting the paper properly.

[TyraTooters]

Oh, yes, I'd work on that.

 

Buy a pencil grip, tilt the paper properly and tape it to the table (if necessary, tape it to the table), maybe give him a fountain pen instead of a pencil. Always tear pages out of workbooks so they can lie flat on the table.

I've been looking at pencil grips, there are so many to pick from! Any specific suggestions? I've tried turning his paper and taping it to the table but he then turns his body so that he's aligned straight with the paper again!

[bluedarling]

You said the grip made his handwriting messier, but it looks beautiful to me!  None of my kids write that neatly!

[TyraTooters]

You said the grip made his handwriting messier, but it looks beautiful to me! None of my kids write that neatly!

The first set of words on the left are mine. The rest are his. It's def nit bad, but it's wobbly.

[sarasue7272]

My son does this, too!

Should I correct every time, I feel like I'm just nagging and then whatever we are doing turns into an argument or power struggle over pencil grip!

[Ellie]

I've been looking at pencil grips, there are so many to pick from! Any specific suggestions? I've tried turning his paper and taping it to the table but he then turns his body so that he's aligned straight with the paper again!

 

Try this one.

 

If he turns his body, then gently remind him to turn back. Repeat as necessary.

 

Also, someone here once posted an article and a picture of one way to help correct his hand shape. It involved loosely looping a rubber band over the pencil and the wrist (to keep the pencil properly held between the thumb and the finger). Does anyone have that link?

[kagmypts]

I cannot get your picture to load, but I am working on pencip grip and paper position with my youngest.  He is currently 6, but I feel that this issue may be above me.  I may try to get a few sessions with an OT to point us in the right direction.  Good luck!

[Ellie]

I cannot get your picture to load, but I am working on pencip grip and paper position with my youngest.  He is currently 6, but I feel that this issue may be above me.  I may try to get a few sessions with an OT to point us in the right direction.  Good luck!

 

It's a link to Amazon: Search for "pencil grip crossover grip"

[stutterfish]

Might also be worth looking into getting some thera-putty. Ds(11) has been using this on recommendation from the OT. He had various handwriting issues which weren't being resolved in the usual ways - and we certainly tried all the usual techniques, different pens, rubber grips etc. Using various squeezing and pinching exercises the theraputty has doubled his grip strength in his hands in a matter of months. Once that was strengthened he had a lot less need to use a death-grip on the pen and his positioning helped. Theraputty can be bought from Amazon last time I looked - it comes in different grades of toughness. My son's is yellow (medium grade I think). Also worth investigating any exercises that strengthen and relax the shoulders as this can also be a big issue in writing stability. Perhaps focusing on regular physical exercises rather than on the actual writing or grip might be a more acceptable approach to your child? Focusing on the writing itself can come across as criticism (at least it did to my son) whereas he was quite happy to work on 'building his strength'. Hth.