Before learning to write, it is important that children practice tracing and drawing with a pencil to gain basic pencil-control skills. These activities lead to the ability to form letters and numbers. Progressing from straight vertical lines to more challenging lines, such as curved, zigzag, and diagonal.
Children should have strength and should be able to make quick, precise movements with their hands and fingers before they are being asked to use a pencil. These fine motor skill activities support young children's fine motor development, and will help to build the strength and dexterity necessary to hold a pencil appropriately.
How to hold a pencil correctly:
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Put the pencil on the bending middle finger between the joint part of the thumb and forefinger. |
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Have your child grip the pencil with thumb and forefinger. |
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Check the way your child is holding the pencil against the picture. |
Make sure your child doesn't have a tense grip holding the pencil. Use a break to relax by shaking the hands, make drawings into the air or rolling a piece of clay inside the hands.
Is the pencil grip too tight? The three fingers should gently grip the pencil. Use a break to relax by shaking the hands, make drawings into the air or rolling a piece of clay inside the hands.
Tension indicates weak fine-motor skills. Have your child try some of these fine motor skill activities.
Regular Practice. Practice daily if possible, keeping the lessons short. Add coloring or drawing instructions to your pre-writing practice.
The Pencil Grip positions the fingers correctly on the pencil. We've found that children like these colorful soft grips, which makes learning the correct grip a bit more fun!
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