Pencil Grasps

Pencil grasp is directly related to handwriting speed and legibility. A mature grasp is more efficient and less fatiguing. It involves good distal hold and control on the pen or pencil, which requires the development of adequate intrinsic strength and in-hand manipulation skills.

Approximate Age Expectations

Immature Grasp Pattern

Palmar Supinate grasp

1-2 years

Functional Grasp

Lateral Tripod or Thumb Wrap

5-6 years

Thumb Tuck

Immature Grasp Pattern

Digital Pronate grasp

2-3.5 years

Functional Grasp

Lateral Quadrupod or Thumb Wrap

5-6 years

Distal 5-finger or Gamer or Fluted or Index Grip

Functional Grasp

Static Tripod grasp

3.5-4.5 years

Functional Grasp

Ergonomic or Adapted Tripod

5-6 years

Interdigital Grasp

Functional Grasp

Static Quadrupod grasp

3.5-4.5 years

Functional Grasp

Hyperextended Index grasp

5-6 years

Nonfunctional Grasps

Pinch Grasp

If Difficulty With Pencil Grasp Seems To Be Due To...

Core Postural Strength and Stability:

  • Yoga

  • One-legged balances

  • Lying on stomach, resting on elbows

  • “Wobbly” stepping stone games (e.g. cushions, air discs)

Wrist Stability:

  • Use of vertical surface (mirror, wall, window, etc.)

  • Sloped surfaces (slanted desks)

Hand Strengthening:

  • Theraputty

  • Clothes pin activities 

  • Squeeze/stress balls

Palmar Arches:

  • Pull theraputty apart with finger tips

  • Place pegs, coins, etc. into playdough/putty

  • Use “Mr. Mouth” and manipulatives

Separation Of Two Sides Of Hand:

  • Finger puppets

  • Spray bottles 

  • Spinning tops

Shoulder and Upper Arm Stability:

  • Animal walks

  • Crawling 

  • Hanging 

  • Working on vertical surface

Thumb Opposition:

  • Use tweezers to pick up small items 

  • Flick games → pom poms, cotton balls, scrunched up paper, etc.

  • Threading small beads

Helpful Links

Pencil Grasp Activities with Fine Motor Play

Helping kids with pencil grasp can be a complicated matter. Kids can hold the pencil too tightly or with an immature grasp no matter how many pencil grips you try. But, there is hope. These pencil grasp activities are fun ways to improve pencil grasp with fine motor play. By using play activities to help kids build a better pencil grasp, kids develop a grasp that is strong and dexterous in ways that carryover to holding a pencil. Try these tripod grasp activities to help kids with pencil grasp development.

Improving Your Child’s Pencil Grip

As occupational therapists, teachers and parents often approach us about their children’s awkward pencil grasp. Left unaddressed, pencil grip problems can end up affecting a child’s academic performance at school. And when children can see they’re not keeping up, it can lead to anxiety, frustration and low self-esteem, which can see them fall further behind.

If your child isn’t using one of these pencil grips yet, fine motor activities can help them develop the skills they need to hold their pencil functionally, and write more easily.

We Would Love To Hear From You

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(916) 346-9352

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