![]() ![]() Child uses pointer, middle and ring fingers to manipulate the pencil with thumb tip wrapped over pencil.Child holds pencil between thumb, pointer and middle fingers.Index and middle fingers manipulate the pencil. Child holds pencil by pressing thumb to hold pencil against side of pointer finger.Child manipulates fingers and hand to move pencil. Child holds pencil between thumb and pointer finger resting on the last joint of the middle finger.There are four subtypes of mature pencil grasp. With a mature pencil grasp, the child uses the thumb and fingers to move the pencil. Child holds pencil with thumb opposing the pointer, middle and ring finger.Ring and pinkie fingers are tucked into palm. Child holds pencil with thumb and pointer finger and rests pencil on last joint of middle finger.Child holds pencil or crayon between thumb and tips of pointer, middle and ring fingers (or thumb and pointer, middle, ring and pinkie fingers).There are a few subtypes of the transitional grasp: Child holds pencil with entire hand with writing end emerging from thumb side of handĭuring the transitional pencil grasp stage, the child uses their forearm and/or wrist to move the pencil.Digital pronate grasp (or pronated wrist grasp).Child holds pencil in entire hand with writing end emerging from pinkie side of hand.Whole hand grasp (or palmar supinate grasp).There are two subtypes of the primitive grasp: In the primitive pencil grasp stage, the child uses their entire arm to move the pencil or crayon. Although pencil grasp development is individual, there are predictable patterns.Ĭolleen Beck, OTR/L, details several types of pencil grasps that fall into three main stages of primitive, traditional and mature grasps ( The OT Toolbox): Primitive Pencil Grasps Over time, it has become evident that various types of pencil grasp are acceptable. Historically, children learned there was only one correct way to hold a pencil. The same team also said, “Alternative grasps may be acceptable for fast and legible handwriting” ( AJOT). The research team recommended that interventions “focus more on speed and letter formation than on grasp pattern” ( American Journal of Occupational Therapy). They found no significant differences in handwriting speed, kinetics and legibility among the various grasps. evaluated four different types of pencil grasps among fourth graders. Moreover, research shows several types of alternative pencil grasps are equally as effective as the traditional grasp. Pencil grasp evolves over time as children develop fine motor skills. “Proper” or “ideal” pencil grasp may depend on the individual. Pencil Grasp Resources for Occupational TherapistsĪlthough adults often worry about how children hold their pencils, research on pencil grasp development shows that there may not be great cause for concern in many cases. ![]()
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