Does anyone know where I can get a big pencil that is used in preschool to help younge children learn to write

Question

I remember when I was in preschool we had these pencils that were much thicker than the standard pencil and was used to help us learn to hold it correctly and make learning to write easier for small hands....cant find them anywhere anyone know where they sellthem online?

Answer 1

You can find them on school supply websites such as Lakeshore of Discount school supplies. Contrary to what was mentioned above, the large pencils are not for helping a child learn to write but for helping them develop and increase their fine motor skills. Children need to have experience with both the larger size pencils but also the smaller pencils that they will be required to use as they get older.

Answer 2

Try www.lakeshore.com

We use these at my work because its easier for little hands to grasp... but they do just fine with the skinny pencils as well.

Answer 3

they are harder to find because most developmental experts have come to the conclusion that they aren't helpful in teaching children to learn to write

that being said, you can sometimes find a limited supply at a teacher supply store

Answer 4

We get ours from our local Wal-Mart or Big Lots stores.  I took classes this summer that actually says those pencils are not the best way to teach children to write.  You need a lot of different kinds of pencils in different sizes and shapes.  Also you need standard sized pencils and pencil grippers that teach how to hold a pencil.  If your child or class is just learning to hold a pencil than you would need to get the 'big grippers'.  If the child is already trying to write of holds crayons properly than you should consider the 'medium gripper'.  Once they have mastered the 'medium gripper' than you could go down to the 'small gripper'.  In my preschool class we are currently using the 'medium gripper' and probably will be until at least March.  You can usually find these types of grippers at your local educational supply store.

Answer 5

Triangular shaped pencils are wonderful for encouraging correct grip.  You can get Writestart pencils from Crayola at www.crayolastore.com; they are available in coloured pencils as well as graphite.

I have found the very best site though is  http://www.drawyourworld.com/grip.html as it has not only triangular shaped pencils for sale, but also a great range of pencil grips which are moulded and can be slipped onto any standard pencil to correct the child's pencil-hold.  This site ships internationally too.  It is not just a store, it also has a wonderful tips and info page about encouraging early writers, helping to establish correct technique, etc.  Take a look, I think you'll find it a most useful resource.

Answer 6

Those pencils are a pain to sharpen and current research shows that they don't help children learn how to write. It is the length rather than width that matters.