my daughter is 6yrs old-- in kindergarten She is having trouble with her handwriting she holds her pencil funny-- any suggestions?
My daughter has the same problem. I am a teacher and it really frustrates me. She is now 12 and her handwriting is usually yucky unless she puts a lot of effort into it. She holds her pencil wrong too. I have decieded the let this one go. There are many other things to focus on. She will thrive in life even if she has messy writing. If her teachers don't complain then neither do I.
Have you already spoken to her teacher? I would assume that teachers face that kind of thing all the time. I have a huge pet peeve with handwriting in general though. I just don't see that it matters that much! (Sorry, teachers!) So long as her writing is legible, that is really all that counts. Her content and what she knows is so much more important. I'd rather have her spelling things correctly and using proper grammar in a messy way that have beautiful penmanship when she misspells things :) I have always felt this way, even when I was a kid. I'd get straight A's in everything, but a C in penmanship. I think it was a trade-off that my parents and teachers could live with :) Be proud of her accomplishments, which I am sure you are. Don't sweat the small stuff.
Is it possible that the determination of "right-handed" or "left-handed" is incorrect?
Just a thought...?
Have you tried one of those special grips you put on the end of the pencil? There are ones that are funny shaped (not sure what they call them), that are especially made to teach children to grip properly. My son holds his pencil properly, but he has problems writing, so his teacher suggested that I write out his spelling words 3 times, and have him trace them. It has helped tremendously. His writing, and spelling grades have improved greatly. Good luck, and if I can find out what the name of that grip is, or where to find one I will let you know. In the mean time try one of the Teachers Stores, they will probably know what you are looking for.
let her old it the way comfortable for her. Just practice some kids learn handwriting slower than others. my son 11 is still having problems with his neatness on handwriting but he is a magnet students scores way above average in math, reading, and science. Don't get dicoraged because it's not the way you want it, just encourage them and keeping telling them thier doing good and she will excell in other areas. Just think if you make her do the things the way you want them will she grow up to be an individual or coping others and their bad habits?
The homeschool store in Lewisville on Main Stree (by the old Hobby Lobby) has really big pencil grips! These are what my kids have used! I also do a reward system--when I catch my daughter holding her pencil right, she gets a sticker and after 10 stickers--a toy.
Don't worry about neat handwriting--it will happen, sooner or later :)
One thing you might try is to take a sheet of paper (or 1/2 or 3/4 depending on the size of her hand) and crumple it loosely into a ball. Have her hold the 'ball' while she writes. It sounds strange and I can't really explain why it works, but it is the magical fix for some. (I used to teach 2nd and then 4th grade and this trick worked wonders time after time.)
Practice teaching her the correct way. Every time you see her doing it "funny" correct the matter. No need for tanglible rewards. Just say "there you go", "you got it" or "good job, proud of you".
Tell her you want to see how good she is at holding pencil the correct way. Praise, praise, praise and reinforce over and over and over every time you see it.
Hope it helps.
From Handwriting Without Tears By Jan Olsen
Thank you Thank you Thank you!
Without this, my daughter never would have learned how to write. She was 4 and couldn't write her name to save her life, now she is five and almost finished with her cursive book!
www.hwtears.com
Great to do at home for extra practice, summer work, anytime. Fast easy..incredible...read on for pencil grip tips, especially the rubber band one!
Why is the grip so important?
Teaching Grip
By Tania Ferrandino OTR/L
If you observe children writing, you will notice a wide variety of pencil grips, many of them awkward. Children may hold the pencil with too many fingers or place their thumbs on top of fingers, or their fingers on top of thumbs. Some of these grips cause fatigue, cramping, and even pain, making writing difficult. This problem can be prevented by giving children early activities and instruction to develop efficient, comfortable pencil grips. The foundation starts with general upper body strength and fine motor skill activities.
Babies in high chairs naturally develop fine motor skills by picking up finger foods such as raisins. Active play on monkey bars and outside games encourage upper body strength and large motor skills. Toys that require children to use their hands to pull apart, put together, and snap help develop eye-hand coordination and strength.
Children are ready to be taught how to hold the crayon as soon as they want to scribble and color with it, not throw it or eat it! Start with crayons rather than pencils and show children how to position their fingers properly. Start with small bits of crayon because children naturally pick up the pieces correctly, just like they pick up raisins. Children eagerly manipulate the crayon to change colors. For children??s small hands, broken crayons are best. Compare the size of a child??s hand to yours. Have you ever used a big, heavy novelty pen or a fat primary pencil? They??re awkward and heavy. It??s the same for children. Writing tools should suit the child??s hand size.
Adult role modeling is as important as the instrument. The adult should use a correct grip and gently help children to do the same, patiently helping them place their fingers correctly.
The optimal pencil grip is called a tripod grip: The thumb, index and middle fingers support the pencil; and the last two fingers are bent into the palm. An alternative hold is the quadrapod grip: The thumb, index, middle and ring fingers hold the pencil; and the little finger is bent into the palm. With both the tripod and quadrapod grip, the fingers are able to move, which is the basic function crucial to handwriting development.
Children love to please teachers and parents. If teachers and parents demonstrate and reinforce appropriate grip, then students will actively try to master it. Here are a few helpful tips for your Preschool or Year One students.
Pre-K Classroom
Have your students practice picking up the broken crayon. Have them practice flipping from one end to the next. As children colour in, observe their grips. Don't be afraid to get involved, bend their thumbs and reposition their fingers until the appropriate grip is achieved.
Hold On...You Have to Teach Grip
Kindergarten Classroom
Pencils generally are introduced in kindergarten. Use golf size pencils to teach and reinforce grip; they are in correct proportion to the child's hand. Teachers can still sing the "Crayon Song" from the Get Set For School music CD by changing the word "crayon" to "pencil." Encourage children to demonstrate their grip for you. Ask them if they can see a 'tunnel' while observing their grip. You should see a hole or tunnel between their thumb and index finger. This analogy helps children visualize and reinforce current habits while promoting the appropriate grip.
Try these exercises to help students and other children with grip:
Keep the little finger and ring finger in the palm.
Have children hold a small sponge or penny in the palm with the little finger and ring finger. This keeps those fingers out of the way while the thumb, index, and middle fingers hold the pencil.
Use the rubber band trick.
Loop two rubber bands together. Place one around the wrist and the other around the pencil. This helps the pencil slant naturally in the child??s hand.
Good habits begun in the early years will last a lifetime. Here??s how you can help:
Provide children with toys and activities to develop their upper body strength and fine motor skills.
Observe their readiness when they are interested in scribbling with a crayon and demonstrate good grip.
Provide the appropriate sized tools: broken crayons
I just started reading a book about how to help your child in first grade, written by a bunch of educators, and it says that as long as she's writing, the pencil grip doesn't matter -- that's a skill that comes later. If it's preventing her from writing, though, they suggested getting one of the three-sided pencil grips to help, or a pencil shaped that way.
I don't remember what they are called but they sell things that go on pencils that help kids grip them properly-ask her teacher. She will know what they are called and may even have one. It helped my son
My mother is a kindergarten teacher and gave me pointers with my daughter. Show her how and encourage her to hold the pencil correctly. You will probably have to position the pencil and her fingers for her if she will let you. It may be difficult at first especially since she's used to holding it incorrectly, but just keep showing her how with with persistence, patience, and praise. If she starts to get frustrated, just take a break and come back to it later or the next day.
My mother also suggests playing with play dough. This helps to build up the muscles needed for fine motor skills. Hope this helps!
contact Educators Publishing Service at
PO Box 9031
Cambridge, MA 02139-9031
Telephone: 800.435.7728
Fax: 888.440.BOOK (2665)
Or epsbooks.com
They sell something called a writing frame that will help her. If you go to the website look under dyslexia materials then click on Dyslexia Training program, under that categories materials you will find the writing frame. They sell for under $10.00; I would recommend one for home and one for school. Also, ask your school to see if they can provide Occupational Therapy for your child. A good Occupational Therapist can be a great way to address her issues. Good luck to the two of you!
First, don't panic! ASk the teacher if she has any suggestions, and then wait. These things usually correct themself with time as the motor skills continue to develop.
You could give your daughter activities to develope her pincer grasp, such a picking up small beads and sorting them or punching out a design with a small tool on some paper, there are many types of fun activities she can do to devlope her fine motor skills (using chopsticks) as a precursor to writing. My son has the same problem and I also work with him holding the pen and we practice writing letters to family members and decorate them. He loves it. Good Luck.
Katie, the main thing in handwriting is what she produces and if her hand gets tired or she is uncomfortable. If she is having pain, you might try having her write on something at a slant - the angle that a podium would be.
This was suggested for my son, and it helps me as I have always had fatigue when writing.
My daughter held her pencil in a crazy position - which the teacher tried to change in 2nd grade. I told my daughter just to hold it the way it worked for her. She is now a recent college graduate who majored in WRITING!
If your daughter has weak hands, there are people who can help her with exercises,etc, for her hands.
Try getting her a pencil grip from the teacher supply store. I used to be a second grade teacher and this seems to help some.
My 7 year old daughter is struggling as well in first grade. She is left handed and hasn't quite found her pencil grasp. A friend of mine had her son see an occupational therapist over the summer and he is doing very well. I am not that concerned yet, but if her handwriting grade goes down I will look into that as well. For now I've just told her to slow down, to give all of the letters their space and place and reinforce that good handwriting is a courteousy to others and always will be.
You might get her tested for dysgraphia. Does she have any reading problems or other issues? My daughter has dysgraphia and it is basically a muscle tone issue. You can try building up her muscles with fine motor therapy. There are many you can try at home and easy to find on the web. We play with these eye popper toys where she pinches a small plastic semi soft toy to make the eyes pop out using her thumb and first and middle fingers. These are the gripping pencils.
Mother of 8 and 6 year old.