Awkward Pencil Grip

Handwriting and penmanship skills have taken a back seat in today’s classrooms. Children who are allowed to come up with their own writing style may not be holding a pencil in a comfortable position for writing.  An awkward pencil grip results when a student holds a pencil too tightly, uses his wrist or fist to form letters or sits too close to their paper.  An awkward pencil grip can interfere with a student’s ability to form letters and to write smoothly and fluently. An awkward grip can cause a student to put extra effort into any work that requires writing and may cause a child to finish written work slower than his peers. Students who need to put extra time and spent on writing tasks  often learn to avoid work that involves writing and/or may learn to do minimal work.

If a child uses an awkward pencil grip, yet forms letters legibly and smoothly, it is not necessary to suggest any adjustments.  However, if the child with an awkward pencil grip avoids writing, writes illegibly, puts more effort into writing than most students, experiences cramping or tired muscles and/or writes very slowly; his parent/teacher may want to try one or more of the following strategies:

Show your student how to hold a pencil in a tripod position  and schedule a regular time to practice using this skill consistently 3 – 5 times per week for ten minutes. Expect that this change may feel awkward and may take some time to get use to.

Demonstrate and expect children to use good posture. Show them how to hold their paper with their other hand while writing.

Provide the child with a small pencil.  Sometimes a small pencil makes it easier to hold a pencil in a better position for writing.

Try a variety of pencil grips. Pencil grips are available in many shapes, colors and sizes.

Wrap tape, a rubber band, or other material around the students pencil to mark finger positions.

It is important that the child understands the reason for changing this habit and is willing to work with you. Working on correct posture while holding a pencil in a tripod grip for a short period of time on a consistent basis should make a difference in a child’s written output.

Trying the above strategies will help an adult to rule out lack of handwriting practice and/or poor habits as the cause of an awkward pencil grip.  If the above strategies do not make a significant difference it will be helpful rule out weak graphomotor skills as the cause of an awkward pencil grip and related issues with written output.

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