Mommy22alyns Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 What age or developmental stage is best? I'm iffy on the rubberized pencil grips and I don't think that Sylvia would care much for them either. But she holds the pencil so oddly. I hadn't planned to start her on a formal handwriting curriculum yet, but she gets frustrated that she can't correctly write certain numbers and letters when we do ETC and her math. Or should I just buy a stupid squishy pencil grip and a HWOT K curric? :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarana Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 I have a 7 yr old & she holds her pencil weirdly too. Whenever I am around I correct it. I have tried using all kids of pencil grips. Moment I turn around she pulls it off the pencil. She says it is v uncomfortable to use the pencil grips. I used to sit with her sister (who had OT issues) all the time when we first started alphabets & she has the correct hold/posture. I never used any pencil grips with her. If your child is holding the pencil incorrectly, NOW is the time to correct her. If she is just starting her alphabets, sit with her while she writes. As they get older they will NOT use the pencil grip & habit sets in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 As soon as a child can hold a writing utensil. Really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amie Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 As soon as a child can hold a writing utensil. Really. Thank you--I've been wondering about this very thing with my almost 3yo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 I used to think it was ok for my dd to hold her pencil in her own, rather odd, way. After all, her handwriting was absolutely lovely. Then we started writing more--and her hand got tired very quickly, because the way she held the pencil strained the muscles. Correct her now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HFClassicalAcademy Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 As soon as a child can hold a writing utensil. Really. :iagree: I used HWT preschool with my now ds7 and dd5 when they were 3. It really helped them with pencil grip. I would correct any "weird" grips ASAP as they can probably cause problems later. And if you have a young dc, help them learn how to hold a pencil the right way from the beginning! My 2 cents!! Liz in NC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FO4UR Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 As soon as a child can hold a writing utensil. Really. :iagree: My dd4 began holding pencils at 2yo (her choice, not mine;))...I spent a lot of time while she was 3yo do watching her trace and draw, correcting her grip. We made a silly game of it - she was the mother of those naughty fingers and she MUST make them obey. (she LOVED that:tongue_smilie:) My 3yo ds is doing a lot of coloring now.....it's time for me to give him a special box of crayons that are about 1" long to force that tripod grasp BEFORE he develops a bad grip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melinda Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 I agree with whoever said as soon as they are capable. Here is what we did (from HWT PK, I believe): Get a slate (or you can use the chalkboard side of a child size easel). Get some chalk. Colored or white doesn't matter, but just regular size, cheap chalk. Break a piece or two into little pieces (no more than 1/4-1/2 inch square). Have them write (or trace what you have written with wet sponge after the board has dried). Here's why: With a little, tiny piece of chalk like that, it forces your hand to hold it correctly. Try it yourself! I thought it sounded strange when I read about it, but it really works and has taught all three of mine proper pencil grip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Barb B Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 I correct them right away too. This worked for my now 6th grader, and seems to be working for my 6 year old. Now my 11th grader - I tried, really I did, but he STILL holds it wierd - I gave up! Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mindygz Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Are any of the pencil grip aids better than others? Those funny shaped ones? The standard triangle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 I haven't pushed which hand to write with, but I have stressed correct holding. We got ds just a normal squishy grip and it is working fine. My dd(2) amazes me, she was born with the perfect grip - how nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FO4UR Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Are any of the pencil grip aids better than others? Those funny shaped ones? The standard triangle? It depends on your child's issue as to what grip you need. My ds6 tends to cross his thumb over the top - the crossover grip works well for him. dd4 tends to misplace her middle finger - stetro grips work well for her. Can you get to a teacher supply store and try some out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amsunshine Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 It depends on your child's issue as to what grip you need. My ds6 tends to cross his thumb over the top - the crossover grip works well for him. dd4 tends to misplace her middle finger - stetro grips work well for her. :iagree: My dd6 had the "thumb crossover" grip problem. We used the crossover pencil grip and an Italic workbook that detailed proper pencil grip on the inside of the front cover. DD and I read that material together first and then she went through the whole book using the pencil grip. Her grip has improved a lot. Sometimes, I can see her slipping into the same old habit and I just have to remind her gently to "pull her thumb back". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepymommy Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 As soon as a child can hold a writing utensil. Really. :iagree: Teach them early, it's much harder to try and remediate a bad grip than to teach from the get go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyAberlin Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 Have you seen this? I'm thinking about purchasing it. http://www.writeoutofthebox.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FO4UR Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 Have you seen this? I'm thinking about purchasing it. http://www.writeoutofthebox.com/ I've never seen that! It looks neat. I'm interested in knowing what's in the teacher's manual. :lurk5: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngieW in Texas Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 My youngest really likes the penagain pencils. Go to the link below to see what they look like. http://www.amazon.com/TWIST-WRITE-PENAGAIN-CHILDRENS-PENCILS/dp/B000XHNQ4C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=office-products&qid=1247932708&sr=8-1 I picked them up at Office Max. The only problem with these pencils is that you can't refill them. So when you use up the lead, you have to throw the pencil away. Still, my dd likes the pencils and they don't make her hand tired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wonderfilled Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 I recently purchased the cross-over pencil grip for my ds6 from Rainbow Resource. I also bought the regular one. I can't remember what it's called. All my children like them and I want to make sure my ds4 starts out with a correct grip so I'm having him use one, too. I would say to start working on grip from the beginning. I let it slide too long with my 6 yo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrganicAnn Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Fat pencils cut down short is the easiest way to correct a grip. Also do the same for crayons, chalk etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kckamy Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 I would also suggest you start using the pencil grip now. It may be frustrating at first but it is better to break the habit as early as possible. My son started using a pencil grip when he was four and used it part ways through 1st grade. At first, he only used the grip when I was working with him and then he worked up to using it all of the time. After awhile he did not mind using it. Amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairProspects Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 I just ordered these, so I can't comment on whether or not they work, but I'm hoping they will help teach my DS the proper pencil grip while he just colors: http://www.crayonrocks.net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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