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Pencil grip

RootBeerFloatRootBeerFloat
in School-Aged Children
In preschool, DS never cared for writing or drawing exercises, and his teachers didn't push him. Neither did we because we figured it would happen eventually. So here we are in kindergarten, and he's struggling with writing. (He isn't 5 yet, but the cut-off here is 12/31, which he just makes.)  During testing, his teacher noticed right away that he still uses both hands, which we think is part of the issue. She said with previous students like him, she'd encourage them to use one hand at first, and if that didn't improve, then she'd switch to the other.

When I help him with homework, I've noticed that he fists the pencil with his left hand, which gives him better pressure, while his right hand almost has the correct grip, but produces less legible lines. He eats, throws and kicks righty, but bats lefty; if I had to choose, I'd say he leans more to using his right. I asked him once which one felt better, and he said he liked using both Smile

Anyway, last Friday, she gave us one of those rubber grip things to use at home. She said it's helping him in the classroom, where he's been primarily using his right hand. I was a little surprised because he seemed to be using his left recently, but whatever, maybe the rubber grip is what makes the difference.

I'd like to work with him more without resorting to additional letter writing, which I think he does plenty of between school and homework. We've signed him up for an art class (his request), and I'm hoping that helps. I'm also looking for suggestions of other activities to build fine motor skills and/or experiences from moms/teachers.
Jackson ~ 12.27.06
Macy ~ 10.23.09
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Re: Pencil grip

  • ABeautifulMindABeautifulMind member

    Teacher here, try some of these things to increase muscle control and fine/motor skills:

    • writing letters/words with a short crayon piece (it's thicker and more sturdy than a pencil)
    • cutting exercises
    • holding cards in one hand (old maid, go fish, etc.)
    • twirling a pencil between his fingers
    • tracing exercises (w/crayon or pencil), not necessarily letters, it could be shapes, or pictures
    Those are just a few I use with my K students when they come in with limited fine motor control.  Good luck!
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  • lsufanlsufan
    DS1 was having issues with this last year, and in addition to the exercises listed above, an early intervention teacher recommended playing with play-doh and pinching a clothes pin to strengthen the muscles for better control.
    image
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  • neverblushedneverblushed member

    My son struggled with fine motor through preschool.  He's also fairly cautious with large motor stuff, so we went to an O.T. for several months.  She used a number of things to help him gain strength in his hands and arms.  She also used a program called Handwriting Without Tears, which worked pretty well.  You can buy the books and materials online.

     

    High School English teacher and mom of 2 kids:

    DD, born 9/06/00 -- 12th grade
    DS, born 8/25/04 -- 7th grade
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  • WahooWahoo member
    DS also had problems.  We were advised to purchase the extra-fat triconderoga (sp?) pencils.  We found them in staples.  The ones we have are black and so fat they don't fit in a regular sharpener but a sharpener is included.
    image "Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self esteem, first make sure you are not, in fact, just surrounded by assholes.
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  • Ruthy77Ruthy77

    Hi, I am new around here.. My DS is 4 (july baby)--he's in preschool and I just posted similar post.. he still has no prefernece w/ lefty/righty---and no consistency w/ L/R.. None--not even w/ kicking a ball, swinging a bat, or using a goldclub or hockey stick--he goes back and forth b/w both hands.. I was wondering if there is something I should be doing, or if it will just work itself out.. 

    Sorry I have no input--but just wanted to say HI! And thanx for posting this, gonna look at all the answers.... 

    Take care, R

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