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 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:
- 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.
- The Pinch Grip for Transitioning.
- 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 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 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.
It was comfortable, but not as secure, so I can see why it is a transitional grip.
The Pencil Grip was his least favorite, but he is not quite ready for this stage.
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.
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.
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I would love to try the pencil grips!
ReplyDeleteI would love the pencil grip
ReplyDeleteI would like to have these to use with my 4-year-old DS!
ReplyDeletegive to friend's kid
ReplyDeletebn100candg at hotmail dot com
Thank you all for entering! Crystal, I will be contacting you soon. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle! Excited to try them out.
ReplyDelete