Holding the pencil in a relaxed manner is a basic fine motor skill that makes drawing and later writing at school much easier. Well-developed fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination enable children to hold the pencil effortlessly and write letters neatly. Developing the correct pencil grip is a gradual process that is usually well developed from around the age of 5. To prepare children for the demands of school and develop their dexterity, it is important to provide them with pencils, paper and coloring books as early as kindergarten age. Thick colored pencils or wax crayons are helpful because they are easier to grip and support the development of a relaxed pencil grip. The correct pencil position enables the children to draw for a long time.

The three-point grip
The three-point grip is recommended, where the thumb holds the pencil on one side while the index and middle fingers support the thumb on the opposite side. The hand and forearm rest on the writing surface. Encourage your child to hold the pencil loosely and to draw without applying pressure. Applying too much pressure on the paper with the pencil, coupled with a cramped grip, often leads to quick hand fatigue. Some children have difficulty holding the pencil correctly. They grip it with more than three fingers, with the middle and ring fingers serving as additional support. For these children, there are ergonomically shaped pencils or grip aids that have been specially developed to improve the correct hand position. Before starting school, it is crucial to recognize signs of complex finger and hand dexterity impairments. These often manifest themselves in difficulties closing buttons, tying shoes, cutting out circles, putting puzzle pieces together or grasping small objects. Occupational therapy offers valuable support in identifying the exact causes and implementing targeted measures to improve the child's fine motor skills, ensuring the process of learning to write goes smoothly.