Gripping Power: Top Pencil Grip for Writing Success

Image Credit: Stephen Andrews

When our son was in Grade 3, we were privileged enough to have access to a school-based occupational therapy program. One of the first recommendations made by his OT was to purchase specialized pencil grips that would correct his thumb grip (this would limit his writing ability in the future if left untended).

We purchased several types including the therapist’s choice.

Here’s what our family found:

1) Claw Grip Pencil Grip

• My son (age 9) and his younger sister found the “claw grip” too restrictive

• their fingers felt trapped and they struggled to write comfortably with it.

• It did however give correct finger positioning easily.

Claw Grip - Silicon Pencil Grip

2) Crossover Pencil Grip

• The “crossover grip” was the children’s most-liked and go-to pencil grip

• It was comfortable and not tiring to use.

• It helped position the fingers correctly, with freedom to move the fingers still.

• Fairly intuitive design. Easy to use.

• Highly recommended by the OT (Occupational Therapist)

Crossover Grip - Silicon Pencil Grip

3) Pencil Grip

• Kids found the “pencil grip” really bulky, uncomfortable, and didn’t like it.

• It took a lot of adjustments to position the fingers correctly.

• One needed to be more conscientious using this grip (choosing the correct side to use and keeping finger placement).

• Required more pressure and practice to use.

Pencil Grip - Silicon Pencil Grip

Fine-motor skills can be a huge challenge for children and individuals who have Dyspraxia, Dysgraphia and other learning divergences. For many, pencil grips will be a great start in helping children and individuals improve their writing skills and speed.

Additional Comments:

The pencil grip tools were a great learning aid…however - over time - I started finding discarded pencil grips in both childrens’ pencil cases and all over the house. The kids just preferred not to use them.

As great as the crossover grip was (being the best of the 3), we did find that there was a major disadvantage for our family in using pencil grips in general. Though the grips did help teach proper finger positioning, they generally were thick and covered the entire pencil surface. Learning to write with a pencil grip means learning to write with a bulky tool. It also means that the fingers are positioned NOT on the pencil itself, but on top of the pencil.

Inevitably, when my kids started using a writing tool without the a pencil grip aid, the pencil or writing tool was SO much thinner, that they still struggled to write comfortably with proper finger form and positioning. In essence, the kids did have to learn how to write properly a second time (without a grip) because the pencil grips were kind of a “false fix” for them. Ultimately it just takes time, a lot of practice and hard work to get it right.

Remember though, pencil grips or no pencil grips, DO whatever works best for you and USE whatever works best for you - Always!