grace'smom Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 Is it alright to let DD keep this type of pencil grip or should I push harder for the correct grip? It's been a struggle that I'm starting to tire of fighting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jewellsmommy Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 Is it alright to let DD keep this type of pencil grip or should I push harder for the correct grip? It's been a struggle that I'm starting to tire of fighting. That is exactly how my dd insists on holding a pencil!!!! ETA: My dd is 9, so I lost that fight a long time ago! I tried and tried. Her handwriting is fine though. It just looks so uncomfortable to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 DD the Younger has a similar grip, though perhaps a bit more relaxed? (It's hard to tell from the picture.) She draws for at least an hour a day and has no problems with written work. I've never heard her complain about hand fatigue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadrunner Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 That's what my son does! I have been trying to teach him the "proper" way (at least what I think is the proper way) and nothing gives. I told his PS teacher and she said it was O.K. I still think it's a strange way of holding the pencil, so I am not giving up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tribemama Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 My daughter, 6, holds her pencil the same way!! I am always trying to correct it, but she is an avid drawer and loves doing copy work. I'm glad you posted a pick! My daughter also writes or forms her letter(unless I'm supervising) from the bottom up. I have handwriting without tears but she seems to struggle with the different grip. I found this homeschool moms website http://www.ot-mom-learning-activities.com/shoulder-exercises-for-kids.html We have been working on some of these exercises, especially with my 5 year old lefty. Tribemama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grace'smom Posted July 18, 2011 Author Share Posted July 18, 2011 DD the Younger has a similar grip, though perhaps a bit more relaxed? (It's hard to tell from the picture.) She draws for at least an hour a day and has no problems with written work. I've never heard her complain about hand fatigue. She has fine motor issues and she presses down too hard. I'm not sure how to fix that issue, but I wondered if maybe the grip is a battle worth fighting. It's actually the same way I hold a pencil... :blush: I have tried to tell her I am learning the new way with her, but it doesn't help. I don't want her to hate handwriting because I'm constantly correcting her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudoMom Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 She has fine motor issues and she presses down too hard. I'm not sure how to fix that issue' date=' but I wondered if maybe the grip is a battle worth fighting. It's actually the same way I hold a pencil... :blush: I have tried to tell her I am learning the new way with her, but it doesn't help. I don't want her to hate handwriting because I'm constantly correcting her.[/quote'] My ds10 does the thumb wrap as well. His writing is neater and he doesn't press as hard when he doesn't thumb wrap. I bought him one of these (he hates it), and told him that I'll only make him use it if I bust him wrapping his thumb. I did have an OT evaluation done on him, and the thumb wrap concerned her (not the two finger grip). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grace'smom Posted July 18, 2011 Author Share Posted July 18, 2011 My ds10 does the thumb wrap as well. His writing is neater and he doesn't press as hard when he doesn't thumb wrap. I bought him one of these (he hates it), and told him that I'll only make him use it if I bust him wrapping his thumb. I did have an OT evaluation done on him, and the thumb wrap concerned her (not the two finger grip). So the grip is OK but not the thumb part? DD had OT when she was younger but "graduated" at 4. They weren't concerned about grip at that time but more sensory balance type things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boscopup Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 My son also has the wrapping thumb like that. Drives me nuts. He sometimes presses too hard, although I showed him the difference between what his handwriting looks when pressing hard and what it looks like without, and he understood. Just can't get rid of that thumb! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nukeswife Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 I don't think I'd fight the grip, but as for pressing too hard, one way to work on remedying that is to try using mechanical pencils. The lead won't tolerate the hard pressing and breaks. My son learned quickly not to press so hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 I don't think I'd fight the grip, but as for pressing too hard, one way to work on remedying that is to try using mechanical pencils. The lead won't tolerate the hard pressing and breaks. My son learned quickly not to press so hard.:iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boscopup Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 I just happened to buy a couple mechanical pencils today. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melinda Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 When I was teaching the kids how to hold a pencil, we practiced by writing with a very tiny piece of chalk on a slate. If you use a tiny piece, it forces you to hold it properly. We have not had pencil grip issues since doing it this way. This is a technique from Handwriting Without Tears, btw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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