Pencil grasp development begins long before children are ready for formalized writing. It begins even before even the first coloring and scribbles are put to paper, before the one you, as a parent, so proudly hang on the fridge. In fact, you might be surprised to find that pencil grasp development begins when children are babies; when they are just barely out of the newborn stage.
Join me as I go in-depth about this development. First, I will be sharing how baby’s first grasps develop into the beginning pencil grasps common for toddlers. Then we’ll chat about how preschoolers transition from those common grasps used by toddlers into a grasp that is more developed and allows more control. Finally, I will share what a proper pencil grasp looks like, and when parents should begin to worry.
To read more, see my posts on Playdough to Plato.
Development in Babies and Toddlers
Development in Kindergarteners
Pencil Grasp Development in Babies and Toddlers
Nope, you didn’t read that subtitle wrong. The development of a correct pencil grasp begins well before a child begins writing, and even before a child begins using writing tools. It begins as soon as your child begins grasping toys, which usually begins at three to four months of age. When a baby grasps a rattle or teething ring he is demonstrating the first steps in learning how to write…
Pencil Grasp Development in Preschoolers
Acquiring the correct pencil grasp is one of the most important physical skills children develop and most of that takes place during the preschool years. Children transition from holding a pencil with a very crude grasp to something that nearly resembles a more advanced, adult-like hold…
Development in Kindergartners
As a child’s fine motor muscles in the hands, fingers and wrists become stronger, their pencil grasp will change to reflect that added strength. Between the ages of four and seven years, most children will develop the desired tripod grasp recommended by pediatricians and occupational therapists…
To read more about pencil grasp development, see my posts on Playdough to Plato.
Development in Babies and Toddlers
Development in Kindergarteners
I’m Sarah, an educator turned stay-at-home-mama of five! I’m the owner and creator of Stay At Home Educator, a website about intentional teaching and purposeful learning in the early childhood years. I’ve taught a range of levels, from preschool to college and a little bit of everything in between. Right now my focus is teaching my children and running a preschool from my home. Credentials include: Bachelors in Art, Masters in Curriculum and Instruction.
[…] some preschoolers, writing comes very easily and naturally. Some preschoolers very quickly transition into using a tripod or quadrupod pencil grasp. They make curvy letters with ease and can make perfectly stick-straight […]