Is 5 too old to change an 'incorrect, established pencil grip'?

Question

My little boy started school this year with a very established and incorrect pencil grip. His grip is upside down. His forefinger is at the top of his grip with his next two fingers below and the pencil is held in with these three fingers and his thumb. His writing is very neat. He is an amazing artist. His kindergarten teacher told me that when a child starts school with an established grip it is near impossible to change it. I do trust her, she is an amazing teacher. Any teachers out there with thoughts on this. I am torn ... I don't want to ruin his artistic abilities and I also wonder that it won't be too far in the future when children are using laptops in school all the time.

Answer 1

I would also ask the occupational therapist at your school. Each school has one. She can give advice because in reality it is her job to know. Although the kindergarten teacher has experience which is also valuable, your OT will probably know the new research out there.

I usually buy a variety of grips at the teaching store to have my kiddos use. They will try them all for a day and pick the one that is best for him. Sometimes they don't want them at all because it hinders their writing. Honestly as a teacher, I feel that if it works for them and they are able to keep up with their writing then let it be ESPECIALLY with his artistic abilities. Lastly, if you child holds his fork wrong - that is one you want to change ASAP. I know adults that do this and it sets off a bad image. (You know - holding a fork with your entire hand like a toddler)

Answer 2

We need to consider individual differences and that also applies to his style of writing. His grip might not be the same as other children's but it's totally different with how he works with his craft and that's a gift. Believe in your son's teacher.  

Answer 3

I am sure that it could be changed but it's not necessary to do so. I'd be worried about ruining his artistic abilities as well. When he gets older, he may realize it's easier or more comfortable to hold it correctly.

Answer 4

I think all children using laptops in class is a bigger worry than gripping a pencil.I'm sure if he keeps going and perseveres with his studies he will alter to suit children are very adaptable even when supposedly stuck in their ways.If you observe the different ways children hold or do anything there's not any two do things identically and they always seem to get by.

Answer 5

I also have a child with imperfect grip (nearly perfect). She does wonderful work artistically too. It's hard to change simply because kids are required to hand in their work in time. It's possible to change if they are allowed more time and encouraged to change. I think if you think the child will follow an artistic path then it might be a good idea to try to change just for efficiency and health reason in the future. Artistic ability is in the mind, not at the fingers. The fingers are simply tools for the expression. Trying to change may disrupt the work for sometime but there is no impairment to the real artistic ability inside the mind. There is nothing to worry about. Even handicapped kids can paint and draw nicely with their toes! The artistic ability is in their minds.

Answer 6

It is never to late to change behavior it may be harder as you get older but it can be changed, but if he is writing nice and neat and can draw amazing art work then I would say not to worry about it, people are all different and who really says that we all need to have the same pencil grip obviously your son is doing well with the way he likes to hold his pencil some kids hold there pencil the correct way and you can't read any thing they write and your son is writing nice and neat I personally wouldn't worry and just let him be, but if you want him to conform and hold his pencil the way the other kids do then maybe give him small pencils that force him to have to hold them the correct way and smaller crayons as well that was a suggestions when my child went to school to help her learn to hold onto the pencil correctly

But from what you say your son is doing great I would be proud of nice neat writing and his art work and I would just let him keep doing what is comfortable to him :)

Answer 7

Uhhh i'm 21 and i think i could fix it for my self now if i tried hard enough

I see where the teacher is coming from though. my teacher tried to make me change but it just was not comfortable for me to write the way other people do