Kindergarten teachers always
whisper, “Remind the pre-K teachers to teach their children to hold their
pencils correctly.” First grade
teachers whisper, “Remind the kindergarten teachers to show their children how
to hold their pencils the right way.”
And so it goes… I don’t
have all the answers, but here are some suggestions that might do the trick.
Pompom
Give children a pompom or
cotton ball to hold in their hand when they write. Demonstrate how to put pinky and ring man to “sleep” on the
pompom before picking up the pencil.
Bird’s Beak
Point the pencil away from
you. Make a bird’s beak by opening
and closing your index finger and thumb.
Use your beak to pick up the point of the pencil and then flip it back.
Writing Bracelet
String a bead or jingle bell
to a piece of yarn or string to make a bracelet. Make it loose enough so it can slide easily on and off a
child’s wrist. While writing the
child wears the bracelet and holds the bead in her hand.
Silly Band
Have the child put a silly
band or rubber band around their wrist and pick up the pencil. Explain that when you go in the car you
have to wear a seatbelt. When you
write you have to put a seat belt on the pencil (slide the band around the
pencil). Mom and dad are in the
front (pointer and thumb) and the kids are in the back (middle, ring, and
pinky).
Pencil Grip
(Tune:
“Where Is Thumbkin?” ALL
DAY LONG CD)
Where is Pointer?
On the top.
Ready to write.
Start at the top.
Where is Thumbkin?
On the side.
Ready to help
Your pencil glide.
Where is Tallman?
On the bottom.
Keeps the letters
Where you want ‘em.