How your child holds their pencil really matters. Here’s why
Back in the old days children were taught how to hold a pencil but over many years this has ceased to be a thing. It means that children evolve their ‘pencil grip’ a bit like osmosis or an accidental happening. Parents and teachers are on the whole none-the-wiser, until there’s a problem with legibility or a mismatch between a child’s capability and what they put on a page. As Children’s OTs, it is our job to explain exactly why this simple thing really does matter and not only that, but to help with what to do about it.
The challenges: The very common grip in the photo is called an ‘inefficient thumb wrap’. If your child holds their pencil this way, whether they are left or right-handed, the following things are likely to happen:
Their letter formation may look a bit clunky.
The pressure they apply on the page may be heavy.
They probably move their whole arm to move or manipulate the pencil, rather than keeping a relaxed arm and using the muscles in their hand.
They don’t write as much as they want to or are capable of, especially as they get into upper Key Stage 2 and secondary school.
They may have problems keeping up or fail to get to the end of the task.
Above all these things, we can assure you that when writing for a sustained time the child’s hand will hurt! And this might extend to their wrist and forearm… and in turn, it makes everyday handwriting a problem that no one wants to have. Confidence and self-esteem can take a big knock.
And as a final blow, as if these things are not bad enough, children’s academic progress is measured by what they put on a page so, it is hopefully easy to see why, how they hold their pencil really does matter.
The solution: We strive to encourage and facilitate an ‘efficient tripod’ grip for children to alleviate all these challenges. If you would like our help to look at your child’s grip and advise what to do about it, then please get in touch. Some simple changes and a sprinkling of OT magic, can have a massively positive impact; we promise you!
Emma Puttock
Children’s Occupational Therapist