If you want to teach your child to hold the pencil better to make their strokes more precise, don’t miss these tips.
You may remember from your childhood the different ways your classmates held their pencils. There were very strange ways! Some because they got into a habit, others because they hadn’t learned how to hold their pencil correctly. That is why today we are going to give you some keys to teach your little one how to hold a pencil properly.
How to learn to hold a pencil properly
Some children hold the pencil between the index and middle finger, others do it with a little strange clamp. They even leave marks on their hands when they press too hard on the writing tool. All these strategies are not the most appropriate and must be corrected from childhood to adopt better habits.
If you want to teach your child to hold a pencil well, it is important that you take into account certain things. Therefore, below we are going to give you some keys so that you can do it correctly and that your child learns very well thanks to your advice and your unconditional support. Let’s go ?
1. Watch how he takes it
First, you need to observe how you hold your pencil yourself and think about it. It is essential that you observe your ways, because you are the main example and the reference for your child. Remember that the most valuable teaching is not obtained by wordsbut by observation and imitation!
2. Provide optimal situations for this learning
The child being small, you must offer him situations that facilitate the use of his hands so that he can perfect his handling and improve his skills. It is a key natural stimulation to work fine motor skills and that the little ones learn to hold their pencil well from the start.
3. Teach him the right way
When your child has enough strength to handle a pencil correctly and press down on the paper, it’s the perfect time to teach him how to best hold the writing element. You have to show him how to grip the pencil between your fingers, where the thumb, index and middle fingers are placed.
In order for him to learn correctly, you will first need to show him with your hand how the fingers should be placed and what is the correct position for each of them. Then ask him to imitate this position until he knows more or less how to do it.
The important thing is not that he copies the exact position, but that it is the right one and that he feels comfortable doing the lines, without forcing his posture too much. It should be as natural as possible.
4. Offer practice pencils
Today in the market there are training pencils that are very suitable for children. Thus, the little ones can learn in a more practical way to hold the tool well. This is’a small object to place on the pencil, which has an exact shape for children to place their fingers on. This element promotes not only learning but also correction.
5. The size of the writing instrument
If the boy or girl is very small, the writing implement should be larger. This is essential because the little ones are more clumsy to hold small objects and the fact that the tool is thicker helps them pick it up more easily. However, their features can be imprecise or “clumsy”.
6. Always teach with love
When teaching a child to hold a pencil properly, it should never be done aggressively, or in a ‘command and control’ mode. This means that we can use some strategies like games or songs to make learning more fun and easierbut always with respect for the child and his pace of learning.
Each child has their own pace and should not be forced to go faster than they can (and should). This respect is crucial from all points of view. We cannot lose sight of the fact that any type of education, at any age, must always be done with empathy and never out of obligation.
Also, if children aren’t receptive, it’s best not to pressure them until they’re ready to take on any kind of learning, including this one. Because although holding a pencil seems simple, even automatic, for your child it is a novelty that must be learned little by little.
Never scold your child if they don’t do well or have trouble holding their pencil. You need to be patient so you can teach him without losing your cool. children, in addition to your example, also need your affection and all your love for being able to learn things without getting emotionally blocked.
Learning to hold a pencil is easier than you think
As you’ve seen, there’s a lot you can do to teach your kids how to hold a pencil (or correct their way). These are simple strategies, but they must be practiced in an appropriate context for them to actually work. That is to say in an environment of love, tranquility, respect for individual moments and empathy.
Are you ready to get started?