Free Everyday Play by Christy Isbell Page B

adult-like grasp of the pencil?
    The majority of children between the ages of 4 ½ and 6 years will use a mature grasp of writing utensils. This adult-like grasp typically means that your child holds the pencil with her fingertips and has good control of the pencil. Your child’s grasp will be influenced by a variety of things such as experience, eye-hand coordination, and muscle tone.
     
     
    What is the best type of pencil grasp for my preschooler to use?
    Typically, three-year-old children will use a digital pronate grasp (held with fingers; wrist straight; forearm moves with hand) OR a static tripod posture (held with thumb, index, and middle fingers in crude manner; ring and pinky fingers are slightly bent; held high up on pencil). Either of these grasps will work effectively for a three-year-old child who is gaining experience holding writing utensils.

    Digital pronate grasp

    Static tripod grasp
    There are several grasps that are considered efficient (most effective) for four- and five-year-olds. These grasps include two main components:
    1. Fingertips on the end of the pencil.
    2. An open space between the thumb and fingers (thumb and fingers form a circular position, so that you can see the palm of the hand).
    Many children prefer to use a dynamic tripod grasp , holding the writing utensil between the thumb, index, and middle fingers. A quadripod grasp that incorporates the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers is another effective and commonly used grasp.
     
     
    When should my child be able to tie his shoes?
    Most children learn to tie their shoes sometime during kindergarten. At this time, a child will usually have the bilateral hand skills, grasp, and eye-hand coordination necessary to complete this complex self-help skill. A child who wears primarily slip-on or Velcro-closure shoes will lack the experience with tying shoes and may develop this skill later.

    Dynamic tripod grasp

    Quadripod grasp
    When should my child be able to write her name?
    Many five-year-olds are able to write their first names independently. Most children learn to write their names in uppercase letters before lowercase letters. Some five-year-olds will also be able to write a few letters that are not in their first names, but which the children find interesting (for example, “M,” “O,” “M”).
     
     
    What if my preschooler writes his name backwards?
    It is typical for preschoolers to write letters backwards or to orient their names backwards across the page. This is an appropriate step for young children during the learning process. Many children demonstrate letter reversals up until the end of first grade. Four- and five-year-olds need opportunities to observe, imitate, and copy letters and words in a literacy-rich environment that includes books, signs, labels, and other reading materials.

    If my preschooler holds her pencil awkwardly, should I try to change her grasp?
    It is important first to consider your child’s age and developmental level. It would not be uncommon for a young, inexperienced preschooler to use what may look like an awkward grasp of a pencil. Young preschoolers may also grasp a pencil in a different way each time they hold one. Grasp is based on habit. So, whatever grasp the child consistently uses in later preschool and kindergarten will probably be the grasp she uses into adulthood. Make sure your child is using the appropriate size pencil. If your four- or five-year-old child consistently holds utensils with an awkward and inappropriate grasp, demonstrate the proper way to grasp a writing tool and gently reposition the pencil in the child’s hand. You could try introducing your child to a pencil grip (such as a triangle-shaped grip) to help her learn to hold the pencil more appropriately.
     
     
    What if my preschooler holds his scissors upside down?
    It is typical for two- and three-year-olds to hold scissors upside down. Preschoolers often use this pattern if they have not had enough