Think back to when you were first learning how to write. Did you immediately grab the pencil and start writing perfectly? Probably not. You most likely remember learning how to first grasp your pencil correctly, then tracing letters and words, until eventually you were able to write them out on your own. What you probably didn’t know was that while you were learning to write, you were also working out small muscles in your hand and fingers. This is known as fine motor development and is essential in everyday activities such as writing, feeding, and putting on clothes with buttons or zippers. When kids have fine motor problems, they tend to avoid tasks that are required of them in everyday situations. This often leads to frustration, poor academic performance, and self-esteem issues. First, let’s learn some background information about certain grasps that will help with your child’s handwriting skills!
Types of Pencil Grasps
Quadruped grasp (3 years old)
pencil held between the index, third finger, thumb, and rests on the fourth finger
Tripod grasp (3-6 years old)
pencil held between the index and third fingers with the tips of the thumb and index finger on the pencil
Want to strengthen your grasp more? Here are some helpful exercises you can do at home!
Activities for grip strength:
Squeeze a sponge
Carry shopping bags
Pour a liquid such as water or milk into a container
Getting dressed/undressed by themselves
Ringing out a washcloth after a bath
Using a spray bottle to water plants
Using scissors to cut a piece of paper
Activities for fine motor grip strength:
Squeezing soft toys/balls
Using a stapler
Crumble pieces of paper into balls and then throw them into a basket or trash can
Sharpening pencils
Picking up small toys with tongs
Picking out small objects in putty/playdoh
Activities for gross motor grip strength
Playing tug of war
Baseball and tennis
Riding a bike
Using outdoor tools such as a rake or shovel