How to teach a first grader to hold a pen. Exercise "New Wave". How to properly hold a pen in the palm of your hand

Some parents strive to raise a child prodigy from the cradle. They are looking for methods of teaching reading from the age of 2, trying to explain how to play a simple melody from the notes. At the same time, they do not always remember that before writing and drawing, you need to teach a child to hold a pen and pencil correctly. Development does not go backwards. Precise finger movements must first be formed, and fine motor skills will develop the brain much better than mental exercises, inaccessible to the concept of a baby.

Why is it so important?

For the first time, the child grabbed a pencil in his fist and tries to depict something on paper. Mom looks at his awkward movements with affection. Do not expect that over time he will realize that with the correct position of the pen, writing and drawing is much easier. Wrong grip can become a habit, it will be very difficult to retrain the baby. Problems will arise in school, or they can move into adulthood. The child will learn to write, perhaps even the handwriting will be legible, but the sight of a writing instrument sticking out of the fingers in an incomprehensible way will cause ridicule from others. And this is only one side of the issue. With the wrong position of the pen (pencil) in the hand during their use, the load is distributed ineffectively - it goes to the entire hand and wrist, while in the correct position, the work is carried out at the expense of the fingers, which allows you to write quickly, beautifully (legibly) and not get tired.

In elementary grades, an attentive teacher can engage in re-education of a student, but the habit gained over the years will prevail. The child will constantly receive comments, for a long time trying to set the handle to the desired position. The focus will not be on solving examples, but on dealing with naughty writing devices. If the teacher does not pay attention to the wrong grip, the student's hand will quickly get tired, he will become slower than others to write essays and dictations. Vision and posture problems can also occur.

If you, against the child's wishes, begin to force him to take the pencil correctly, the child may be offended, cry and lose interest in fine art for a long time.

To avoid conflicts, do not put writing utensils with the rest of the toys; put them in the closet. The first acquaintance with pens and felt-tip pens is best done under the guidance of mom or dad, as soon as the parents notice the child's interest in drawing.

The first acquaintance with the pencil

Make sure you are holding the pen correctly before starting your practice. Few adults hold a pencil in their fists or between their fingers in the form of a figurine. But the inclination of the writing instrument, the place of capture, not all correspond to the standard. The child may not understand the explanation in words, the parents will have to show him by their own example how they themselves draw and write.

Take a pen and see how correct its position is.

• The handle rests on the upper phalanx of the middle finger, it is held from above by the thumb, from the side by the index finger.
• The ring finger and little finger are bent and pressed against the palm of the hand.
• The distance from the fingers to the tip of the pencil is about 1.5 cm.
• The blunt end is directed towards the shoulder of the writing hand.

If you notice mistakes, correct the position of the writing instrument to show the child the correct example.

Now browse through the child's entire arsenal of writing tools. Friends and relatives could give him the most bizarre pencils, thick pens with many rods, or souvenir miniature markers. Such items look good on a stand or in a collection, and it is very inconvenient to use them for their intended purpose, especially when the kid is just learning to hold writing instruments in his hands.

Take a pencil 8 mm thick and about 10-12 cm long. It is desirable that it has a triangular shape, then the fingers themselves will take the correct position. Explain to the kid that the pencil loves to be held correctly, and if you grab it at random, it will be unpleasant for him. For clarity, you can show that when you lead the baby by the handle, it is fun and good, and if you hold the leg, it will be very uncomfortable.

Exercise to form a correct grip

It is very difficult for a baby to master the right position of the fingers. Put your drawing lessons aside for a while and do exercises that develop proper grip on the pencil. Do not arrange serious workouts, the child will quickly get bored with them. Everything should take place in the form of a game.

Do 8 exercises and see what your baby does best. Try the following methods.

1. At first, the pencil can be fondled. Stand it upright, rest the lower end on a hard surface. The kid takes the upper part with his thumb, forefinger and middle finger and holds it down, as if stroking.
2. The pen is tired and wants to sleep. The middle finger will be the bed, the index finger will be the pillow, and the thumb will be the blanket. In this case, you can hum a lullaby, or say "Bayu-bye". When the writing device is in the correct position, you can put the cam on the table and move it over the paper, with these lines the pencil will say "Thank you" for a good rest.
3. Pencil towel. Give your baby a small piece of cloth that he will have to press against the palm of his little finger and index finger. Say that the pen has washed and wants to dry off, or that she needs to blow her nose into a handkerchief. You need to hold the napkin and take the writing instrument. It will be very difficult to grab it in the wrong way, most likely, the fingers will take the right position.
4. Writing attachment. In the departments of children's stationery, you can find a large selection of special attachments in the form of funny animals, birds, fish. Your pencil got yourself a kitty, now you need to play with it. There are holes for fingers on the device, the kid will definitely take the pen correctly and will be able to draw various "kalyak-malyak".
5. Training simulators. If you want your child to immediately pick up the writing instrument correctly without long exercise, buy a Stabilo LeftRight exercise pen. On its triangular surface, recesses are made for the fingers, the baby will immediately take it in the correct way and be able to draw.
6. Crayons. Your stubborn person doesn't want to make friends with a pencil and hold it correctly? The pencil left such an owner from resentment, now you can draw only with crayons. Do not give the baby a large rod, break off a small piece that cannot be squeezed in a fist. It is difficult to draw with two fingers, the lead tilts in one direction or the other. As a result, the child will have to take it in the right way - with tweezers.
7. Darts. Teach your toddler to play darts, this will perfectly prepare his brush for writing. You can only throw a dart with three fingers. First, the child hit the target with arrows, now you can take a pen in the same way and try to hit the right place on a piece of paper.
8. Alignment of points. Disciplined children who love order in everything can be explained that, as all toys have their own corners, so the pencil should lie in the hand in the right place. Draw dots on the middle finger and on the body of the pen. Now you need to combine the marks, hold the writing device with two other fingers - and the drawing will turn out beautiful.

If your child is left-handed, teach him to hold the pen in the same position, but in the left hand. Your index finger will be on top and your thumb will be on the side. When purchasing exercise equipment, make sure the label indicates that the accessory is for left-handed use.

Classes should not tire the baby, so each exercise can be done as long as he likes it. Usually, interest lasts no more than 4-5 times, and fidgets can get bored even after 2 repetitions. The signal that the lesson is over for today will be the loss of interest in the child. It is advisable not even to wait for "complete saturation", but to switch to another activity when the young artist is ready to smudge the paper a little more. The next time you call him to the drawing table, he will run eagerly.

Teach your child to control how correctly he holds the pen. Let him raise his index finger, while the writing instrument should remain in place.

So that the kid does not get bored, learn funny poems, nursery rhymes with him. For example:

“To write letters,

Not squiggles

Gotta hold it right

This pen is in the pen. "

If parents must follow the correct position of the pencil and the pose at the table, then there is no need to interfere in the creative process. You can invite your child to draw a house or a tree, but do not give him recipes, do not force him to draw the same hook 10 times. A preschooler's hand is not yet ready for calligraphy, he will be taught the correct lettering at school, and now such an activity will only tire the child, make him bored. After that, it will be very difficult to introduce the kid to drawing.

How to sit at a desk?

The child's spine has not yet matured, therefore, if the position is incorrect during classes, he may have problems with posture. It is better to immediately buy a chair and a table, the height of which can be increased as the baby grows. He should sit up straight with his feet on the floor or on a special support. Make sure that the young artist rests both elbows on the table and does not bend to the right or left.

You don't need to lean on the table with your chest, but you can't move too far. A distance of 2 cm will be sufficient. You can tilt your head a little, but not bury your nose in the paper. Teach your child to check the distance from the drawing to the eyes from time to time. You need to put your elbow on the table, the organs of vision should be at the level of the fingers. To make the hand less tired, the sheet should be positioned at an angle of 30⁰ to the edge of the table, the corner should look at the center of the child's chest.

If you notice that the kid does not move with a pencil on paper, but pulls an album, figure out the reasons. Perhaps he is left-handed, and his mother makes him work with his right hand.

When practicing writing and drawing, you need to take care of the baby's eyesight. The workplace should be well lit. The lamp must be placed on the left so that the right hand does not cast a shadow on the sheet. If you are growing up left-handed, place the light on the right. It is better to choose a paste in a pen or a pencil lead in bright, juicy shades. Pale lines are difficult to distinguish - the child will strain both the eyes and the arm, trying to make them clearer with strong pressure.

Don't let your child draw on a low bench while kneeling on the floor. You don't need him to write while lying on the floor. From an early age, the baby needs to be taught that each activity has its own place, its own furniture and its own body position. Some children are better at writing while standing. There is no need to prevent this, this skill will be very useful to him at school. Buy a special board with a secure stand or hinges to hang it on the wall. Explain that he can paint whatever he wants on this surface, but that wallpaper, furniture, and doors cannot be painted.

How to prepare your hand for writing?

It is useless to practice drawing with a child if his fingers are not yet sufficiently developed. With babies, you can play finger games: "Ladushki", "White-sided Magpie". Give him toys that encourage him to develop precise movements. Developing centers and training rugs will be of great help. Purchase or make yourself several handbags and pockets with different fasteners. The kid will make every effort to open the zipper, button and Velcro, if he gets used to the fact that an interesting surprise awaits him in the container.

Older children can be offered games with balls, large beads, which are strung on a thin string. Lacing toys are very helpful for fine motor skills. Buy a child safe plasticine that you can take in your mouth - let him crumple it, roll sausages, try to blind something. For the development of both fingers and mental activity can be purchased.

The hand and other activities are well trained:

• puzzles;
• tying knots, learning the basics of macrame;
• coloring pages;
• drawing various shapes by cells, points or contour lines.

It is good to combine the development of fine motor skills with the introduction of the baby to household chores. At 3-4 years old, under the supervision of his mother, you can acquaint him with needlework: learn how to sew on buttons, embroider simple patterns. Before the New Year, arrange a competition for the best cut snowflake to decorate your Christmas tree. When making a cookie or pie, give your child a piece of dough. Let him dazzle his figurine, which must also be baked, taste a piece to everyone and praise the young culinary specialist for a delicious treat.

Do not expect that the teacher in the first grade will be able to teach the child to hold the pen correctly. If the wrong grip has already formed, it will be very difficult to break the habit, and the teachers simply have no time to do it. Often annoying little things and habits that are harmless in the eyes of parents poison the life of a student so much that he refuses to go to lessons. Take care of your baby's future, take 20-30 minutes a day to develop the necessary skills.

Some children, starting to learn to write in school, take the writing subject incorrectly. This problem is especially relevant in primary grades. It is difficult for teachers and parents to deal with this. There is an opinion among parents that a child can take a pen as he sees fit. Can you reason like that? Does the grip of a pencil affect anything and how to teach a child to hold a pen correctly? Let's talk about this in detail.

Where does the problem of improper grip on the pencil come from?

The problem that the kid does not hold a pencil correctly when starting to draw or write is familiar to many parents. Why does this happen? This habit is a consequence of the child's improper development long before school.

It turns out that everything starts from the moment the baby grabs the rattle. It is very important to pay attention to how the baby draws small scabbards long before the first grade. Parents should notice how he sculpts from plasticine. All these actions must be performed with the right hand, using 3 fingers - thumb, index and middle.

From about 4 years old, you can observe how the baby draws. Children often hold a pencil in their fists. Others stick out their fingers and squeeze him hard. The child should not be allowed to take a pencil in his hand as he pleases. The sooner you teach your baby to grip correctly, the easier it will be for him to write in class at school. At the age of 6, he should already be able to write with a pencil. If the little man is already accustomed to the wrong grip, he himself will not retrain. Parents need to show some persistence.

What does a wrong grip affect?

It is important to note that the health of the baby depends on the correct holding of the writing object. If the grip is incorrect, then his vision may deteriorate, sometimes scoliosis develops. It all starts with a violation of posture, which should not be allowed. If these dangers pass your elementary school student, he will simply get more tired when completing written assignments, which will affect his grades at school and, therefore, his psychological mood.

If you want to understand how your kid holds a pencil, watch how he writes. The wrong grip has its harbingers. Check if the following requirements are met:

• the student's thumb should not lie lower than the index finger while writing;
• the handle should be supported by the middle finger, not the index;
• it cannot be taken "in a pinch";
• fingers should be placed not too low - close to the writing part, and not too high;
• during drawing lessons, it is necessary for the kid to turn the pencil, and not the sheet of paper on which he draws;
• the top of the handle should be towards the shoulder;
• the pressure on the sheet of paper should be moderately strong and not too weak.

How should you take a writing subject?

The main point is the position of the fingers. The right-hander holds the pen like this: the pen is placed on the left side of the middle finger. In this case, the index finger supports the pen or pencil in the correct position on top, the thumb is on the left. For left-handers, everything is mirrored opposite - the pencil is on the right side of the middle finger and to the right of the thumb, the index finger is at the top.

The main task of the parents is to teach the child to hold the pencil in such a way that the hand does not get tired while drawing or writing. When a child removes the index finger from the handle, it does not fall out of the hands with a correct grip. If it falls out, your student is holding the pen incorrectly. There are no requirements for the rest of the fingers. The ring and pinky fingers can be positioned where the student is more comfortable. Most often they are hidden inside the cam. There are recommendations that help the student to take the writing subject correctly:

• ask the child to imagine that he has a pad on the upper part of the middle finger on the side of his palm, let him put a writing object on it;
• the index and thumb seem to cover the writing object;
• three fingers participating in the grip, as it were, are rounded and hold the handle;
• the rest of the fingers are bent and pressed against the palm;
• all fingers are relaxed;
• it can be assumed that when drawing or writing, the hand rests on the table with the upper part of the little finger;
• For correct positioning, the fingers should be 1.5 centimeters from the nib.

Ways to instill the skill to correctly take a writing object

How to teach a child to hold a pencil correctly in early childhood? Start by drawing with crayons. For proper holding, break the crayons into pieces of 3 cm. This length of crayons will not give the baby the opportunity to take them into a fist. He himself will automatically hold them as it should, with the help of three fingers.

The next tip is to draw a circle for the future first grader on the middle finger, against which the pen should rest (we recommend reading :). Draw the same circle on the pen, so that when writing, the child puts it on his finger in the right place.

A half-torn napkin will help to develop a grip with the right fingers. It is difficult to hold a whole napkin with the baby's small hand, and ask him to take half in a fist and hold it with his ring finger and little finger so that it does not fall. With the rest of the fingers, the kid should take the pen. He will automatically take it right.

A game of throwing darts (darts) will help to develop the correct position of the fingers. If a preschooler imagines that a pencil is a dart, and it is necessary to throw it at a sheet of paper, the fingers will fold themselves properly.

For playing tweezers, it is best to use a pen rather than a pencil. Having presented it with tweezers, the preschooler should take it with three fingers by the upper tip. Then the fingers are pulled down along its length, as a result of which they take the desired position for writing. It's also a good idea to play rubber bands with a preschooler. This game is well known to his grandparents.

Other Ways to Teach Correct Finger Position

There are several other ways to help you figure out how to teach your child to hold a pencil. Special attachments for pens and pencils, which can be bought in stationery stores, will help in solving the problem (see also:). These attachments are made in the form of funny animal figures with special recesses for small fingers. When using such nozzles for writing, it is very easy to develop the correct grip of the writing object in the baby.

There is also such a thing as a self-taught pen. It also has finger recesses. The difference from nozzles in the form of animals is that self-taught people do for both right-handed and left-handed people.

Stabilo LeftRight produces special handles for use in the lower grades and senior kindergarten groups. They have three edges with grooves for the fingers. They are reduced in length and weight and are made of soft metals. The manufacturers also took care of the baby's mood, painting the pens in bright colors and giving them a fun design.

Correct seating at the desk and table

The basis for the student not to get tired and easily do the written assignments is the correct landing at the table. Even in the days of our grandmothers, teachers recommended observing the rule of three right angles. A 90-degree angle should be formed in the bent knees under the desk, between the hips and back, in the bent elbows.

What else needs to be done:

• put your feet together;
• put your feet completely on the floor;
• put your elbows on the table;
• observe the distance between the desk and the body of 2 cm;
• put the notebook at an angle of 30 degrees to the body;
• tilt your head slightly towards the desk.

On the Internet, you will find videos on how to teach your preschooler to grip correctly. Photos of various writing attachments can be viewed in online stationery stores.

Choosing the right handle

In preschool age, start by drawing with a pencil. It is easier to fix it in the correct position. When it's your turn to handle, choose a triangular shape with a rubber bottom to keep your baby's fingers from slipping. Make sure that the material of the pen is safe for your health, as many children chew on the tip of the pen.

A ballpoint pen works best for writing. The rod should write in blue or dark purple. Don't buy pens with a blue refill. The letters will be hard to see on the paper, and the student will put more pressure on it.

The optimal length of a writing object is from 10 to 13 cm. Longer or shorter pens will develop an incorrect grip in the student. The thickness of the pen should not exceed 7 mm, as thicker or thinner pens are more difficult to write.

Preparing your child for writing assignments

In order for the kid to learn to grab a pen and a pencil in time, it is necessary to develop fine motor skills in him at preschool age. This will develop a beautiful handwriting, and teachers will be happy to check his homework. Here are some tips to help your child:

• ask a physiotherapist for a set of finger exercises and do it with your child;
• scatter your beads (wife's beads) and ask the kid to string them on a new thread;
• before the New Year or just start cutting snowflakes, let the baby cut it out on his own;
• play knots - tie the rope, and let the child untie it, then change;
• ask your kid to sew you a button that has come off a shirt or dressing gown;
• draw a figure, let the child shade it;
• sculpt dough cookies or plasticine figures with your baby;
• buy horizontal bars for fingers and do them with your child.

If you follow the above rules and tips, you can easily teach your baby the correct position of the fingers while writing. Parents should be in full control of the situation, but try not to bore the child. This can be done by interspersed study with play. The main thing, remember, is that it is much easier to teach a kid the correct grip in early childhood than to retrain a student later.

Many parents and teachers face a problem when a child does not properly hold a pen or pencil while writing and drawing. Experts say that this problem occurs in children aged three to four years. At this time, the baby can already understand how to properly hold the pencil while drawing. But if parents do not explain the principle of gripping the pen in time, the baby may get used to holding it incorrectly. And it will be very difficult to retrain him in the future. Some children, who are accustomed to holding writing instruments at their own convenience, continue to write as adults. In order for a child to get used to holding a pencil correctly from an early age, there are easy ways to teach him how to write. Thanks to them, in a playful way, the kid will quickly master these skills and in the future will not experience problems with the convenience of spelling words.

Pencil and Pen Grip Wrong: How the Problem Appears

Small children love to draw very much. At the age of up to a year, parents prefer to introduce the baby to finger paints. In this case, the baby creates masterpieces without the help of a pencil or brush. But as he grows up, the child gets acquainted with writing instruments, the main of which are pencils. The ability to color your favorite cartoon characters is becoming one of the most important tasks for a baby.

The prerequisites for improper grip of the handle can be seen as early as infancy. If the baby is holding a brush or spoon in a fist, this is an excuse to start showing him the correct position. Parents can gradually prepare their hand for writing, developing fine motor skills: modeling from plasticine, drawing with a brush, all this helps the child to understand how to draw correctly, and in the future - to write.

If a child does not hold a pen or pencil incorrectly, this should not be ignored. The sooner you start to explain to the child how to do it correctly, the easier and faster he will master this skill.

Under the age of one year, the child pays great attention to rattles. Parents can observe exactly how the baby grabs this interesting object. Also, small children love to draw with crayons. Adults should pay attention to how the kid holds the crayon and draws with it. These activities are not the only thing that can signal future gripping of the pen. Children aged two to three years old love to sculpt from plasticine. Play with your baby and pay attention to how the baby sculpts certain shapes.

Experts in early development explain that in all these tasks, the baby must perform with his right hand with the help of three fingers: index, middle and large. If he does something wrong, he cannot use these fingers in the process of sculpting or drawing with chalk, but simply grabs objects into his cam. This is a signal that an incorrect capture problem may arise in the future.

How improper grip of the handle affects the child

Many parents prefer not to retrain the baby, because it is more convenient for him. Is this approach correct? Experts say that improper grip of a pen or pencil affects:

• aesthetic appearance: it looks ugly when an adult holds writing utensils, like a small child who cannot write;
• posture: improper grip can lead to the fact that the baby will bend too low over the desk or table, dodging to the side. This negatively affects the spine and can lead to scoliosis;
• vision: tilting too low over a notebook or album can lead to visual impairment;
• completing assignments: when the pen is in the hand incorrectly, the baby quickly gets tired in the process of writing the assignment. This significantly reduces the speed of work and exercise. As a result, the child's academic performance also decreases, and this affects the psychological and emotional mood of the child.

Parents need to prepare their hand for writing even before the baby learns to write or draw. This requires exercises to develop fine motor skills. These can be games with cereals, soft and hard bodyboards, finger drawing, modeling from plasticine or clay, salt dough. And when the time comes, you immediately need to show the kid how to take a pencil and draw correctly.

How to prepare your baby's hand for writing - video

How a child should hold a pen correctly

The most important thing is to show your baby how to correctly grab a pen or pencil. If you do not correct him, but allow him to draw or write as he sees fit, then the retraining process can take a long time. The writing instrument rests on the middle finger, namely on its upper phalanx. The handle is fixed on both sides: on top with the index finger, and on the side with the thumb. Two fingers: ring and little fingers, you need to bend into your hand so as not to interfere while writing. If the kid is holding the pencil with his left hand, the process of gripping correctly is exactly the same, only mirrored.

Parents should explain to the child how to hold the pen correctly so that in the future the baby will not have problems with handwriting, the speed of writing the exercise and posture.

Adults don't even think about how they take the writing instruments. They have this habit already brought to automatism, but a child who is just learning to draw cannot learn the correct grip so quickly. The task of the parents is to closely monitor the baby and correct him if they notice that the pencil in the little fingers is not lying correctly. Over time, he will remember and automatically his fingers will correctly grip the handle.

The first time your toddler picks up a pencil, ask him to raise his index finger a little. This is a kind of test for the correctness of the grip: if the pencil falls out of the hand, it means that the pupil is holding it incorrectly. Explain to your child that you need to draw and write by holding the writing device slightly tilted, then this problem will be solved quickly.

In some cases, the kid may complain that holding the pencil in this way is inconvenient for him to draw. In most situations, it is important not only the correct position of the fingers, but also how high the child holds a pencil or pen from the shaft. Explain that the writing utensils need to be held at a distance of one to two centimeters from the rod, then the process of drawing or writing something will be convenient.

Parents should pay attention if the child, while writing or drawing:

• holds a writing instrument in a fist;
• the handle rests on the ring finger, and it is supported not by the index, but by the middle finger;
• no tilt when writing: the tip looks up, not towards the shoulder;
• Presses too hard on the pencil
• turns a notebook or sketchbook while drawing, not a writing instrument.

In these cases, parents should correct their son or daughter and teach them to write or draw correctly, so that in the future there will be no problems with the health and academic performance of the baby.

Simple Ways to Teach Your Child to Hold Writing Utensils Correctly

If the child is used to holding the pencil incorrectly or it is difficult for him to quickly get used to the correct grip, there are several ways that will help the fingers get used to getting to the right place. Let's consider the most popular ones, which are suitable not only for those who write with the right hand, but also for children whose left hand is the main one.

How to teach in a playful way

Many children learn almost immediately how to hold a pen correctly. But experts insist that in preschool age the child remembers everything faster and better through the game. Therefore, it is possible to explain how to properly hold the writing instruments in a playful way. For example, you might tell your toddler that the pencil wants to sleep or rest. He, like a child, needs a crib. Here is the middle finger - this is a bed, a pencil rests on it. Then, so that the pencil does not freeze, we cover it with a blanket on all sides: with the index fingers on top, and the big one on the side. Now let us tilt our hand a little so that the pencil lies and does not stand while resting.

There can be many variations of such a game. The child can be told a story that the pencil needs to be hidden, or dressed warmer, he is cold. It depends on the imagination of the parents and the interest of the baby. So the baby will quickly remember the principle of correct grip.

How tweezers can help

This method is considered one of the simplest and fastest, which does not require a long explanation or special accessories. Take a notebook or any piece of paper. The child should sit evenly at the table or desk. Give your baby a handle so that only three fingers are involved: index, middle and thumb. The child should take the writing device with three fingers by the uppermost tip and place it perpendicular to the table. Gradually, the fingers begin to slide down and at the very rod they will take the correct position. If the kid suddenly forgets how to hold the pen, he can repeat the whole process on his own, and the fingers themselves will fall into place.

Gripping the handle with tweezers - video

Holding an item

This method is the most famous: for more than a decade, teachers have been trying to teach a child to get used to holding a pen correctly using a napkin. The whole secret is to hold a napkin and a writing instrument in your hand at the same time. Only at first glance it is difficult, in fact, if the pen or pencil is correctly clamped in the fingers, the napkin will not fall out and there is practically no need to make efforts to hold it. Instead of a napkin, you can use any small object: a ball, a piece of cotton wool, as long as it is not heavy:

We hold the pen correctly with a napkin - video

Spy point

And again, an interesting story or game plays the main role. Give the baby a dot or draw a small star, line, snowflake on the upper phalanx of the middle finger. Exactly where the pen or pencil goes. You can tell your child that the pencil should hide this sign so that no one can see it. Again, it all depends on the imagination of the parents. Children love hide and seek, secrets and riddles, so the child will try to hide the sign with interest and perseverance, thereby gradually getting used to the correct capture of writing instruments.

Dart throw

Many children are ready to accept the challenge, and most importantly, to win. When playing darts, the fingers on the dart are positioned in the same way as when the handle is properly gripped. If you have a dart board, first teach your child how to throw darts, if age permits. Then you can tell the kid that the writing instrument is a kind of dart, but the notebook, sketchbook, or coloring book is the target you need. But you can get into it only when your fingers correctly grab the "dart". Believe me, the child will try very hard to get to the center of the field.

Special attachments and handles

Today, at the office supply store, you can buy special attachments that fit on a pen or pencil and prevent the baby from putting his fingers in the wrong way. They are made of bright materials and in the form of animals. Children are very interested in drawing and writing with such assistants, and their fingers get used to holding the device correctly. The only negative is that the child may tilt him incorrectly, so parents need to make sure that the tip looks towards the baby's shoulder.

There are also special triangular pencils or pens with finger recesses. Taking such a writing instrument in his hand, the child must put his fingers correctly, otherwise it will be inconvenient for him to write or draw.

Pay attention to the markings before buying a special attachment or a handle with notches for fingers. Such devices are produced separately for children who write with the right and left hand. Finger grooves mirror each other.

We hold the pencil correctly using special attachments - video

How to choose a comfortable handle

Much depends on the convenience of the writing instruments. Therefore, parents should carefully select the appropriate pen for writing:

• the most convenient is the ball point, it should not be thick - no more than 7 mm thick;
• the first pens should be bought with a rubber tip, so the baby's fingers will not slide over the body and it will be more convenient for him to hold it. Many experts recommend giving preference to handles that have a recess for the fingers;
• the pen should write well so that the child does not press on it with force, otherwise the brush will quickly get tired and the baby will not be able to complete the task;
• the length of the writing instrument should not exceed 15 cm so that the child can easily hold the pen with his fingers. Many parents buy pens for babies with toys or feathers on top. Experts do not recommend such products to children who are just learning to write. The fact is that additional elements on the pen make it heavier and contribute to the incorrect inclination of the writing instrument.

You need to teach your child to hold writing utensils correctly from preschool age. After all, the kid has shown interest in drawing from the age of two, holds a brush and creates the first pictures. It is at this time that you need to show the child how to properly grip a brush or pencil. At the older age, four to five years old, children may try to write with a pen. To do this, you need to choose a comfortable model that the child can properly hold in his hand, while not experiencing inconvenience. If the parents notice that the baby is holding a pen or pencil incorrectly, you need to try to retrain or correct him. To do this, you can use several methods that, in a playful way, will help the kid master the correct grip of the handle.

Last updated article: 03/30/2018

The question of how to properly hold a pen when writing usually arises before parents when the child turns 5 or 6 years old. But experts are convinced that it is necessary to start learning much earlier so that the first grader does not have to retrain in an emergency mode.

Child psychologist

A small child tries to take a pencil in the most convenient way for himself, most often in a fist. However, the situation is complicated by the fact that such a habit quickly takes root, so the type of holding the writing instruments persists for life.

Naturally, children's handwriting suffers, but this is not the most important problem. With the wrong position of the writing accessory, the child's hand gets tired while working, the writing speed decreases, posture may suffer, and the curvature of the spine will worsen.

There are several simple techniques with which you can teach your child to hold a pen or pencil correctly. Moreover, it is necessary to start at a very early age, when the little one for the first time takes a rattle, spoon or crayon in his palms.

The situation when a child incorrectly holds a pen, pencils, felt-tip pens during writing is quite common. Where does this problem come from? This habit is formed at a very early age, long before entering school.

Everything can start from the period when the child becomes interested in the rattle, holding it in the handle. Then comes the turn of brushes, soft pencils, with which the little one depicts scribbles on album sheets.

In addition, the skill of holding writing instruments is formed by working with plasticine or a special test.

Correct pinching and sculpting is done with the right hand, using the thumb, index and middle fingers.

From the age of 4, it is necessary to observe how the child draws. Some kids hold a pencil in their cam. Others squeeze the writing material with excessive force.

It is impossible to let the process of formation of the capture take its course. If the child holds the markers the way he wants, then at school he will have to be retrained. The sooner the correct grip is formed, the easier the first grader will be able to adapt to school.

At the age of 6, children should already be able to use a pencil, even if it is just drawing patterns in copybooks or drawing block letters. Moreover, parents need to constantly monitor the correctness of the letter in order to prevent retraining.

As already noted, improper grasping of the writing instrument can lead to health problems for the child. The most dangerous undesirable consequences are visual impairment, curvature of the spinal column due to improper sitting at the table.

Even if such unpleasant complications do not arise in the child, he will simply become more likely to get tired when writing, shading or sketching. And this can negatively affect school performance and psychological adaptation.

Such troubles can be prevented if the wrong position of the hand and the wrong grip of the writing accessory are detected in time. It is possible to recognize a future school problem on the following grounds:

• the baby holds his thumb while working slightly below the index;
• the pencil holds the index or ring fingers, and not the middle;
• the felt-tip pen is taken with a pinch;
• toes are either too low or too high;
• a child, drawing a picture, rotates not a pencil, but the album sheet itself;
• the upper end of the pencil is directed not towards the shoulder, but towards the neck;
• the toddler presses on the paper either with excessive force or too lightly.

If you find one or more signs of mistakenly gripping the pencil, you need to immediately move on to correcting the habit. Otherwise, after entering school, the child may have problems with his studies.

The main nuance is the location of the fingers. A right-handed person takes a writing object as follows: the pen is placed on the upper part of the middle finger, and the index finger holds the writing accessory on top. The thumb is on the left.

For left-handed people, the grip is mirror-like: the handle is located on the upper part of the middle finger of the left hand, the index finger holds the object on top, and the large one - on the right side.

You can check for proper grip by lifting your index finger. Did the writing material remain in place and did not even budge? This means that the child is holding the pen correctly.

There are no special requirements for the rest of the fingers. The nameless and little finger can be positioned in any way convenient for the little scribe. Usually they are pressed against the palm of your hand.

In order for the child to finally understand how to hold a pencil correctly when writing and drawing, experts recommend reminding the baby about the following rules:

• the writing object is placed exactly on the pillow of the terminal section of the middle finger;
• all three fingers, which are involved in holding the object, seem to be rounded;
• two other fingers bend and press against the palm;
• the whole hand is completely relaxed;
• ideal position - fingers are located above one and a half centimeters from the tip of a pen or pencil;
• in the process of writing letters or drawing, the little finger may touch the table surface.

Regular repetition of these rules will allow you to put the correct capture of writing materials already at the senior preschool age, which will allow you not to waste time and nerves on retraining.

6 Ways to Teach Your Child to Hold the Pen Correctly

Not all parents know which technique is most effective in teaching their kids the optimal grip on writing accessories. Experts identify several simple methods that are versatile (suitable for all children) and effectiveness (they work in almost 100% of cases).

Parents just have to choose the most suitable methodology and start the learning process.

Capture with tweezers

To teach the kid to correctly grasp the writing object in his hand, it is necessary to use the tweezers "grip". This is one of the simplest and most intuitive techniques for holding pencils.

A smooth object is placed with the slate end down perpendicular to the table top. The child grasps the upper part with three working fingers, and then moves them downward until they take the optimal position, which is required when writing.

In order for children's fingers to be able to take the correct position, it is necessary to stock up on half of a napkin and a pencil in advance. The paper accessory must be folded 4 times, after which the baby presses it to the palm with his little finger and ring finger.

The child straightens the fingers working when writing and takes a pencil with them as described above. "Extra" fingers will no longer prevent the child from correctly grabbing the writing object.

Darts

A child of 5 or 6 years old can be offered to throw darts in order to gain a correctly set grip. It turns out that darts is not just an exciting game, but also a kind of simulator that helps to understand the principle of holding a writing instrument.

The three-finger method of holding a dart is similar to that of a pencil or pen. Therefore, whenever a child sits down for a copy or a notebook, remind him that a written object must be taken as a playing accessory.

Artistic crayons are another good option for learning how to hold your pencil correctly.

Previously, the pastel must be broken into pieces, the length of which does not exceed three centimeters.

Children cannot hide such small crayons in a fist, so they will have to hold the pastel with only three fingers.

Having worked with chalk, the child can easily switch to older writing accessories.

Finger mark

If the kid still does not understand how to properly hold a regular pen, you should use the simplest technique, which involves drawing a point on the place of the middle finger where the pencil should lie.

A similar mark (or a plus, a line) must be placed on the writing utensil, stepping back one and a half centimeters from the point of the lead. It is explained to the child that these two points must match in order to obtain a perfect grip.

An interesting play method will help a very young child to correctly hold a pencil or pen, while it does not matter at all whether the baby prefers the right or left grip.

The little one is told that the pencil is tired and wants to sleep, he needs to be helped to go to the "bed". A “pillow” is placed under his head, and a “blanket” is covered on top.

Explaining: "bed" - middle finger, "pillow" - index finger, "blanket" - big. You can even write a fairy tale about a pencil and fingers.

Writing accessory manufacturers are also worried about the problem of teaching writing. In the stationery departments, parents can purchase special attachments that are made in the form of animals.

These devices have special small notches and recesses. If the rubber attachment is put on the pen, then the child simply will not be able to grab the writing accessory incorrectly.

On the net you can find many positive reviews about an accessory such as a training handle for learning the correct grip. The accessory looks like a fish with special grooves. Manufacturers and parents claim that such a simulator can even correct a child's handwriting.

Another option for teaching writing devices is the pens from the Stabilo LеftRight series. These devices have been developed with input from medical professionals, teachers and ergonomics specialists. On the triangular handles there are already special nozzles with recesses, which help the "scribe" to take the object correctly.

In addition, writing utensils are made of light soft material, and their coloring gives children a good mood, which is also important when deciding how to teach a child to hold a pencil correctly.

How do you choose the perfect handle?

At an early age, it is best to start familiarizing yourself with writing objects with a pencil, since it is easier to grasp and hold in the correct position. Then you should go to the handle.

In order for the child to like the future school accessory and meet all the requirements, it is necessary to take into account several important characteristics:

• the presence of a rubber insert that eliminates slippage;
• safety of the material, since the child will definitely pull the pen into his mouth;
• triangular shape of the body;
• the length of the product is less than 13 centimeters, and the thickness does not exceed 8 millimeters.

The best pen for drawing letters in a copy is a ballpoint pen. Dark blue or purple inks should be preferred as they leave a distinct mark. The blue rod writes less clearly, so the first grader will press on the pen.

In order for the child to be able to hold the pen correctly while writing, he needs to take an optimal position at the table. Since olden times, schoolchildren have been taught to observe the principle of three right angles.

The ideal fit is when the right angle is formed by bent knees, hips and back, bent elbows.

And you should also remind the child so he:

• kept his legs close;
• put his feet entirely on the floor;
• put his hands on the desk when writing;
• kept a 2-cm gap between the tabletop and the body;
• laid the prescription at a 30-degree angle to the body;
• bowed his head slightly to the table.

Setting up a child's hand for writing is impossible without proper holding of the pen. To prevent the child from getting tired, it is necessary to observe a certain distance from the tip of the rod to the index finger - 1.5 centimeters.

Development of fine motor skills

For a child to be able to write correctly at 6 or 7 years old, it is necessary to improve his fine motor skills at an early and preschool age. Such exercises will help develop beautiful handwriting and coordinate movements.

To prepare for the letter, you can do exercises such as:

• finger gymnastics;
• rolling beads between the fingers;
• stringing beads or large beads on a thread;
• cutting out patterns from paper with safe scissors;
• tying and untying knots;
• sewing on buttons;
• Painting;
• performing various shading;
• finishing of patterns;
• modeling from plastic mass;
• lacing;
• fun with the designer;
• fun with a bumpy ball, etc.

Many parents are oblivious to the way their child holds a pen or pencil while writing. However, when the kid goes to school, the problem of academic failure often arises, since it is difficult for the child to write a lot, because the hand quickly gets tired. That is why it is important to pay attention to the position of the fingers and hands when writing in time. The sooner you teach your baby how to properly wield a pencil and a pen, the easier it will be for him later in life.

Six rules of correct writing

Correct position at the desk

It is interesting. Large European companies, hiring employees for work, among other tests, carefully analyze the candidate's handwriting, as well as his manner of holding a pen - this gives information not only about the character and creativity of the employee, but also about his ability to work.

Psychologists and educators agree that beautiful handwriting and writing speed do not depend at all on the child's genetic characteristics, but on the time that parents are ready to devote to developing the skills of the correct body position during writing and drawing. The way the baby sits when he writes depends on his vision and posture. If children lean forward strongly, as if "catching up" with the notebook on the table, or adjust the tilt of the body to the sheet of paper in front of them, in the future this can lead to curvature of the spine and chest, as well as negatively affect the health of the eyes. There are six rules that go a long way toward avoiding child health problems:

• We sit straight. The back and chair should be in a clear perpendicular.
• Legs should be together.
• The distance to the desk is 3-5 cm.
• The sheet of paper should lie at an angle of 30 degrees so that you do not have to unnecessarily tilt your head and bend your torso.
• The left corner of the notebook or scrapbook should be exactly opposite the middle of the chest.
• Elbows are on the table. Otherwise, your arms and shoulder girdle will strain unnecessarily.

How to teach your child to hold a pencil or pen correctly

Parents should show their toddler how to hold a pen or pencil correctly

Very often, mothers and fathers do not consider it necessary to teach their baby how to use a pen correctly while writing, they say, if only the baby is comfortable. When the child enters school, the teachers have practically nothing to help correct the situation - it is too late. But teaching children to properly handle writing objects is absolutely not difficult. The main thing is to do this at an early stage of acquaintance with pens and pencils. To do this, you need to imagine a special pad on the middle finger, on which the pencil is laid, and the thumb and forefinger support it. In this case, the index finger holds the pencil on top, and the big one - on the left. The little finger and ring fingers are freely located inside the palm of the hand while writing. Make sure that the distance from the index finger to the writing tip of the hand is about one and a half centimeters. Otherwise, the hand will get tired from overexertion. To help your child learn how to properly handle pens and pencils, use the following tips:

• Hold a half of the napkin between the ring finger and the baby's little finger. Put a pen in your free fingers - the child is guaranteed to take it correctly.
• Play darts. Learning to write, this analogy turns out to be very appropriate, since to hit the target, the dart must be held with three fingers: middle, index and thumb. They are also involved in writing.
• Use mechanical aids. In office supply stores, special attachments for pens are sold, which exclude the possibility of holding it incorrectly.
• Use the fingertip exercise handles. The body of the pen has special indentations for fingers, and the bright design attracts the attention of kids and makes the learning process interesting and entertaining. In addition, the simulators are available in two versions: for right-handers and left-handers.
• Take the pencil with the child by the very tip, put it on the table and slowly go down with your fingers - so the fingers will take the correct position in relation to the pencil.
• Show by example. Children perfectly copy the way adults behave, so after showing several times how to hold the pen, invite the child to repeat with you.
• Trace the outline of large objects. The fact is that the motor skills of young children do not allow the muscles of the arm to relax while writing. This makes it easier for the child to draw small objects, and in the future, the baby is guaranteed to have small handwriting. When he outlines large objects, fine motor skills develop faster and the hand acts more relaxed.

So that the child does not experience any inconvenience while writing, and in the future he has a beautiful handwriting, it is imperative to pay due attention to teaching the technique of using a pen. And the sooner the kid learns to hold pens and pencils correctly, the less problems he will have in the future.

If you have any difficulties or problems, you can contact a certified specialist who will definitely help!