Help with my 3 year old beginning to write his name?

Question

My 3 year old is beginning to learn to write his name, however he is having the hardest time learning how to hold a pencil correctly. Ive tried the "fat pencils," the regular sized ones, crayons, markers, he just cant get the hang of it. Any suggestions or ideas on what else I could do to help him?

Answer 1

Three years old is really a hard time for kids manipulate writting utensils.  It is great that your child is even trying to write his name.  Just try to encourage and support him and don't push him.  Have him learn how to write the letters of the alphabet, but make it fun for him by saying lets draw an animal or something with the letter.  The most important thing with children his age is that the learning should be fun.  Here are some links to coloring books that might help make this fun for him below.  Just remember a three year old writing letters puts him above the average three year old - you have a very bright child.

Good Luck!!!

Dinosaur ABC Coloring Book (it maybe a little advanced for him)

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksea...

Alligator Alphabet

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksea...

Kipper's A to Z: An Alphabet Adventure

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksea...

Kipper's Book of Colors

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksea...

Answer 2

They make triangular shaped pencil grips that show the child how to hold the pencil, my daughter used  them for a long time.  I cant remember where I bought them but it was on line just search triangle pencil grip.  They make other shaped ones but they are more confusing, I think the triangle work best especially for kids that young. And just keep encouraging him and tell him how beautiful his writing is. I have also saved one sheet and wait a month and show him how much better he has gotten, my girls loved to see the comparison.

Answer 3

get his fingers and teach him and practice his abc.

Answer 4

My son is starting to write his name too. He will be 4 at the end of the month. His grasp is still the whole fist around the writing implement but that's still somewhat OK at this age. Our teacher and Occupational Therapist all agree that as long as they are experimenting they will figure it out. We have been encouraged to show him the proper hold by doing it ourselves and he will want to imitate it eventually.

Keep encouraging him to try and he will figure it out.

Answer 5

Hi, im a preschool teacher, to improve pencil grasp try some fine motor development activities like clay play, paper tearing, and play with manipulative materials. These practice little hands and teaches better control. Have more patience, with 3 year olds, its very normal for pencil grasp to still be that way. Read more in this site:

Answer 6

Don't worry and don't rush him. He'll learn in time. I tried to help my 4 yr. old daughter every time she scribbles but her tiny hands just couldn't do it, until she finally did. Patience and constant guidance will help, then let him explore and discover for himself. You'll be surprised with the result.

Answer 7

Just let him do it the way he wants.

Answer 8

time, patience. tracing might help. is three too young maybe?

Answer 9

Don't worry about it right now - he just does not have all of his motor skills perfected yet.

Answer 10

It might take him a while to work on holding pencils,  their motor skills at age 3 might not be developed for that yet.    so just be patient and let him practice hold pencils or crayons or markers.  You can also try massaging his hand before he hold a pencil to see if that helps...