Safety Cutting and Grip Training with The Pencil Grip, Inc. | Review

This post, Safety Cutting and Grip Training with The Pencil Grip, Inc. | Review, contains affiliate links.  

The Pencil Grip, Inc. recently sent us two products to try out: The 3 Step Pencil Grip Training Kit and The Ultra Safe Safety Scissors.
The 3 Step Pencil Grip Training Kit

The 3 Step Pencil Grip Training Kit consists of three ergonomic pencil grips to teach your child how to hold a pencil properly with the tripod grip, the most recommended grip for learning to write.

Three pencil grips - three steps:


  1. The Crossover Grip for Training keeps children from crossing their fingers. It has "wings" that hold fingers in place in the proper position and keep them from crossing over. 
  2. The Pinch Grip for Transitioning.
  3. The Pencil Grip for Graduation.

How to Use the Grips

Slide the wider end of the grip on first. Then, have your child place their thumb on the “R” if they are right handed or the “L” if they are left handed. Your little one's fingers should naturally fall in the correct place with the middle finger on the underside of the grip. They can be used right or left handed, but I only used these with my right-handed son, Bo, who is six years old and still developing his grip.

They are one size fits all, and they fit anything the size of a #2 pencil from pens and pencils to crayons and paintbrushes.

The Crossover Grip was Bo's favorite.

The 3 Step Pencil Grip Training Kit

The wings that prevent his little fingers from "crossing over" are really comfortable and hold the fingers in securely. This was my favorite grip also because it's so comfortable, but it also helps his middle finger rest where it should. 

The 3 Step Pencil Grip Training Kit

The Pinch Grip was his second favorite. It's a transition grip so it still helps prevent crossover, but Bo's fingers didn't naturally fall into place at first. 

The 3 Step Pencil Grip Training Kit

It was comfortable, but not as secure, so I can see why it is a transitional grip. 

The 3 Step Pencil Grip Training Kit

The Pencil Grip was his least favorite, but he is not quite ready for this stage. 

The 3 Step Pencil Grip Training Kit

The 3 Step Pencil Grip Training Kit

The grips can be used for training or for comfort. They are soft, comfortable, and easy to write with, so they have potential to reduce hand fatigue. Our writing lessons are short, and I'm still getting used to the grip, so I'm not sure if they reduce hand fatigue yet. I have only used them for short amounts of time because the tripod grip feels awkward. It is not my normal pencil grip. I like my middle finger on the pen or pencil with my ring finger resting below.

In fact, my normal grip is #5 below.

The 3 Step Pencil Grip Training Kit

However, I had to train my fingers to do this. I'm a dental hygienist, and when I scale with an instrument, I have to have both my index finger and middle finger on the shaft of my instrument, and my ring finger on the shank (the closest part to the tip), and I fulcrum with my pinky. When I write, I slide my ring finger down, so I'm not sure it would beneficial for me to change my grip at this point.

Bo is much more comfortable with the grips, but I like using them for writing with pens because they help hold the pen perpendicular to the paper which makes writing with a pen easier. We use pens for the writing program we use; however, they are are hard for my son to keep upright and write with, so the pencil grips have been great for him when writing with a pen. We will continue to use them during our lessons.
The Ultra Safe Safety Scissors
The Ultra Safe Safety Scissors are not your normal blunt edged safety scissors. They have sharp blades with a spring loaded plastic safety shield that opens automatically when the scissors are squeezed closed, so kids can cut safely without cutting themselves. The paper slides in, and the blades are enclosed while they cut, perfect for any child ages 3 and up to learn how to cut with an ergonomic, safe design.

The Ultra Safe Safety Scissors
To use them, you simply slide the paper in and cut. The paper slides in easily and is easy for little hands to cut with. Even though you have to keep the paper in the slot for continuous cutting, Bo thought they were easy to use. He is six, so he didn't need the extra help with the spring loaded function, but I imagine it would be beneficial for smaller hands. I thought they were hard to use - I wouldn't want to cut long pieces of paper with them, but these scissors are designed for little hands, of course. 

They definitely live up to their name. I think they would be great for any young child learning to cut. In fact, I think these would be perfect in a preschool setting where lots of kids may be cutting at once.  
See the scissors in action in the following video where Bo is cutting along a curvy line that I drew on the paper. 


Click the banner below to see how other homeschoolers used these products from The Pencil Grip, Inc.

Ultra Safe Safety Scissors & Pencil Grip Training Kit {The Pencil Grip, Inc. Reviews}
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6 comments

  1. I would love to try the pencil grips!

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  2. I would like to have these to use with my 4-year-old DS!

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  3. give to friend's kid

    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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  4. Thank you all for entering! Crystal, I will be contacting you soon. Congrats!

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  5. Thanks Michelle! Excited to try them out.

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