Hand and Finger Exercises for a Proper Grip

To help your child achieve a proper pencil grip more easily, you can encourage them to try the following fun hand and finger exercises:

• Pinching off small pieces of playdough

• Rolling playdough into small balls

• Tearing paper into small pieces

• Gluing small paper pieces onto a surface

• Sorting small and large pom-poms into separate boxes

• Putting Lego bricks together and pulling them apart

• Threading pasta onto a string

The Woodpecker Pencil Grip Exercise

When holding the pencil near its tip, only three fingers are used to move the pencil forward and backward. Your child can imagine the pencil is a woodpecker pecking at a tree (the palm of their other hand). During this exercise, make sure your child keeps their hand steady and focuses on using only their fingers.

Fun Activities to Practice Writing

Encouraging your child to write and draw through playful daily activities is a great way to reinforce their grip:

• Writing about something they love (their favorite food, toy, movie, etc.)

• Keeping a daily journal

• Drawing and sketching pictures

• Preparing a menu for a family meal

• Making a holiday wish list of gifts they want

• Writing down the grocery shopping list

• Playing paper games like Hangman