Occupational therapists are frequently asked to assess a child’s pencil grasp. Improper pencil grasp can cause a child to experience pain and fatigue while writing as well as decrease writing speed. A functional pencil grasp is important as it allows children to write more efficiently, enabling them to keep up with their school work.
In order to develop a functional pencil grasp a child must have the necessary strength and stability, not only in the small muscles in their hands, but also in the larger muscles closer to the centre of the body. These larger muscles develop first and are responsible for postural control, shoulder stability, arm strength and wrist strength.
An occupational therapist can complete a detailed assessment to determine why the child is holding their pencil with an immature grasp and whether a change to the child’s pencil grasp is required. It is important to keep in mind that we don’t necessarily need a perfect grasp, however a functional grasp is important in order for students to keep up with writing demands at school and prevent them from experiencing unnecessary stress to the joints in their hands.
Should your child require intervention regarding proper pencil grasp and pre-writing skills, occupational therapists can provide fun multi sensory activities to work on fine motor and gross motor development. They can also identify and incorporate useful tools such as pencil grips or slanted surfaces to encourage proper handwriting techniques.
Romy Berger OT Reg. (Ont.) – Occupational Therapist
