The Triangular Pencil Grip is designed to aid correct pencil grip development. It encourages the fingers to form the tripod grasp, which is considered to be the most effective grasp for handwriting activities. The type of pencil grip can also serve to support the child as they focus on the writing process, therefore not exhausting their thought and energy, trying to remember to grasp the pencil properly for the best function. Functional grasps have a few basic components, which include; an open web space, skill fingers holding the pencil (thumb, first, and middle fingers), and stability (achieved with the ring and little fingers being curled securely into the palm). This results in an efficient and functional tripod grasp for the most success with handwriting, drawing, and coloring. This grip has three finger cups to support finger placement, and can be used by both left and right-handed writers with a simple change of finger placement within the cups. The finger placement indicators are on the bottom of each cup. The design leaves little room for error, and supports a variety of children, as it comes in three different sizes.

Sometimes the easiest way to ensure a better grip on a pencil is by getting a smaller pencil into those hands. Golf pencils are some of the best tools for smaller hands, as they are the right size. The use of larger pencils and crayons leads to compensatory grasping patterns, as they are too long and too heavy for little hands to grasp and hold for long periods of time. A typical sized pencil in the hands of a child, is the equivalent of an adult trying to use a 12 inch pencil! Helpful supports to use with these children are finger crayons and small pencils. These help the child to improve their finger control and the movement needed to develop their pencil grasp. We discuss them further in the video below. The reason I use pencil grips as a last resort is that many children lose them or they just become more of a distraction than a help, I have found. However, depending on the type of grip they can be beneficial. In the adaptive tripod grasp, the child places the pencil between the index and middle fingers rather than within the traditional web space. They grasp the pencil shaft with the thumb, index, and middle fingers. The placement of the pencil between the index and middle fingers provides ample support and stability allowing for good pencil control, and less hand and finger fatigue. Pencil Weights: These flexible and adjustable weights can be attached to the pencil, providing additional proprioceptive input and improving handwriting control.

How do we monitor the pencil grip?

For those struggling to manipulate, use, position, and write with a pencil grip during written output, sometimes an alternative grip is the answer.

The Pencil Grip is the original ergonomic writing aid developed by educational therapist Dr. Lois Provda, Finally, we’ll cover a variety of related resources and activities to support the development of pencil grip use. Stetro Grips: These grips have a unique design that guides the fingers into the proper writing position while offering a comfortable grip. To meet the needs of the individual student, a pencil grip may be supplied as a tool to support those individual needs. Unfortunately, there is no hard and fast best option. This is because all children are different and have different needs. Each pencil grip is designed slightly differently and will suit different children. The videos below show pencil grips that we have found to be helpful in a number of cases when working with children who have an immature pencil grasp. What are the pros and cons of available pencil grips?This type of grip is great for the children that have a thumb wrap grasp which closes up their web space. The Grotto Grip is not as cushiony as “The Pencil Grip”, but it is easier to use, as it has molded finger slots for the thumb and index fingers, and an indentation on the bottom for the grip to rest on the middle finger. It also has a wing on the front, and the material is stiffer in design, which can help aid in the prevention of any finger or thumb wrapping.