Why Is Pencil Grip Important?

Pencil grip refers to the way a person holds their pencil and other writing utensils. When learning to handwrite and draw, pencil grip plays an important role in helping children write neatly, effortlessly, and without fatiguing too quickly. There is more and more evidence that there is no right or wrong way to hold a pencil as long as the grip is dynamic, consistent, and allows for neat and functional handwriting. 

Static VS Dynamic Grips

Young children grasp writing utensils with a static grip, holding the pencil firmly between the thumb and fingers. With a static grip, the fingers do not move the pencil. Instead, the forearm moves the hand while the child colors, draws, and writes. By six years of age, children should be able to use a dynamic grip to manipulate their writing utensils. This means that the pencil is controlled by the thumb and fingers (usually the index and middle fingers). Support for this grasp comes from the wrist, forearm, and pinky side of the hand. A dynamic pencil grasp allows for faster and more accurate control of the writing utensil and is important for written output.

Inefficient Pencil Grip

An inefficient pencil grasp is one that causes fatigue, pain, decreased speed, and difficulties with legibility. Children who have weak finger strength, poor shoulder and/or wrist stability, below-average fine motor skills, or those who lack enough practice manipulating a writing utensil may use an inefficient pencil grip. This will impact the quality of written work the child produces.

Tips for Improving Pencil Grip:

Worried about your child’s pencil grip? Here are some strategies to help:

• Break crayons into small pieces: When children color with small crayon pieces they are more likely to use a three finger grip because the pieces are small.
• Write and color on a vertical surface: When children write, color, and paint on a vertical surface the wrist is in a more stable and upright position which provides a good base of support for writing and coloring
• Work on pinch control: Picking up small objects like beads and coins and stringing them or putting them in a bank slot will improve fine motor skills which will help with developing a good pencil grip
• Work on finger strength: Working with modeling clay, spray bottles and tweezers require fine motor skills and also improve strength. Strong hand and finger muscles helps children sustain a good pencil grip. 

In addition to engaging in activities that improve fine motor skills and increase hand and finger strength and shoulder stability, practicing manipulating a writing utensil is important to encourage a dynamic pencil grip. The Letter Leaders workbook series not only teaches children the right way to handwrite but affords them many high-quality opportunities to practice forming lines and letters. Buy the Letter Leaders workbook series today to help your child develop their handwriting skills.