![]() ![]() So, what is it about the dynamic tripod grasp that makes it an ideal pencil grip? This is such an efficient grasp because of the finger movement involved. ![]() Research has actually found that many alternative grasps don’t negatively affect handwriting skills. This pencil grasp still uses three fingers however, the pencil is placed in between the pointer finger and middle finger.Īs long as your child’s pencil grasp isn’t affecting their writing speed or legibility, don’t worry too much. One example of this is the modified tripod grasp. While most children will eventually use the dynamic tripod grasp, some will develop an alternative pencil grasp. With this grasp, your child’s fingers will actually be moving to control the pencil. It isn’t until around 6 or 7 that most children move on to the dynamic tripod grasp, which is usually considered the most mature, functional pencil grasp. With the static tripod grasp, your child’s wrist and forearm are still doing much of the work to move their pencil. This grasp uses 3 fingers, which move together as one unit. Tripod Grasp: Ages 4 to 7īetween the ages of 4 and 6, your child will begin developing a static tripod grasp. And while it’s not as mature as the tripod grasp, it can be an effective way for some children to write, as they will be making smaller movements with their wrist during this stage. Keep in mind that some children will skip this stage altogether. In this stage, your child is moving closer to a standard pencil grasp, but they’re still using four fingers instead of three. Quadrupod Grasp: Ages 3 to 4īy 3 or 4 years of age, some children will use the quadrupod grasp, also called the four finger grasp. As your child switches to a digital pronate grasp, they’ll have a bit more control of the pencil or crayon as they draw and color.ĭigital Pronate Grasp. This grasp will also involve more use of the elbow, rather than using whole arm movements. The digital pronate grasp, sometimes called radial grasp, uses all of the fingers, with the thumb and index finger near the tip of the pencil. Digital Pronate Grasp (or Radial Grasp): Ages 2 to 3Īround 2 to 3 years of age, your preschooler’s pencil grasp will begin to use their fingers rather than their entire fist. Your toddler will first grasp a crayon or pencil in this same way-although now it’s intentional. ![]() This is the involuntary grasp response a baby has when something (like your finger) is placed into their hand. You may have heard of the palmar grasp reflex when your child was an infant. With this grasp, the entire hand is gripping the pencil, instead of a few fingers. This is normally how a child will first attempt to hold a writing utensil, around age 1 ½ or so. The palmar grasp is a fisted grasp that requires your toddler to use their entire arm when coloring. ![]() But please keep in mind that every child is different. The following pencil grasp development chart can help you know what to expect as your child grows. If you’re struggling to teach your child how to hold a pencil, check out this fun and interactive Nogginsland video on YouTube: How to Hold a Pencil! This video uses a cute story to put the tripod grasp into terms your little one will understand and remember easily. And when they start picking up smaller objects like cheerios or even blocks, they’ll begin to strengthen their pincer grasp.Īlthough your child will begin working on pre-writing skills in preschool, most children don’t develop a mature pencil grasp until 6 or 7 years old. As your little one learns to sit up and reach for toys, they’ll be strengthening their trunk, shoulders, and arms. This means that even as a baby your child is working toward their pencil skills. Larger muscle groups need to be strong in order for them to move on to strengthening the smaller muscles in their hands and fingers. Think of your child’s motor development as working from big to small. Your child’s fine motor development is dependent upon their gross motor skills. However, there’s a typical series of stages you can expect your child to go through before mastering this fine motor skill. Some children will be a little slower to develop their pencil grasp, and some children may skip stages altogether. Pencil grasp development varies from one child to the next. There are plenty of things you can do to get them on the right track. And if your child is a little behind in their pencil grasp stage, don’t worry. We’ll walk you through these stages one by one, so you can have an idea of what’s normal. This can leave you wondering when and if you should correct their pencil grasp.Īll children go through stages in their pencil grasp development. Young children often hold onto writing utensils with their entire hand. If you have a preschooler, you’ve probably noticed that they hold their pencils, crayons, and markers differently from you. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |