Holding a Pencil
Have you ever watched amusingly as a toddler holds a crayon or pencil? The death grip that is often applied is serves the purpose, but it does not result in a great deal of accuracy. Although this is fine as very young children develop the fine motor skills, particularly the pincer grip, which allows them to hold the implement firmly in place, teaching preschool children the correct way to hold a pencil can result better handwriting and even more precise coloring.
So what is the correct way to hold a pencil? I have seen some very odd configurations all of which seem to get the job done. However, one method in particular seems to be more comfortable and more efficient at allowing the writer to correctly make the strokes needed for legible handwriting.
The method taught in most schools today is the tripod grip. This is a classic pencil grip where the index finger, middle finger and thumb form a triangle with the pencil in the middle. (See a picture at http://www.drawyourworld.com/grip.html) It is important that the pencil is not squeezed too hard so that the hand does not get tire. It may feel as though there is less control at first, but with a little practice, this grip can result in better writing with less fatigue.
Resource: Hablitzel & Stitzer (2009). “Draw Your World.” http://www.drawyourworld.com/grip.html accessed on July 7, 2010.
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Written by BRWI Staff on July 7, 2010
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