Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Pencil Grips

I *may* be over analyzing this.  Or it may be that because I'm very pregnant I'm extra irritable lately, but either way, I'm going crazy over William's pencil grip. 

I know.  Pencil grip. 

There are lots of things to agonize over so I'm not sure why this issue has to be such a big deal, but it is.  I can't stand it.  He's long past the Palmar-Supinate grip, skipped the Digital-Pronate grip (grasp?  Can't remember) and is now using the quadropod grip.  When, oh when will he remember to follow my instructions for the tripod grip?  I'm not sure if I'm going overboard here, but he holds his pencil with his thumb bent (yah!) but then grips the pencil with BOTH his index and middle finger, instead of resting the pencil on the middle finger.  He's going into Kindergarten this fall...is this something I should be concerned with?  I want him to develop a love for learning, and that includes writing, but it seems the more I bicker with him over this the more frustrated he gets. 

I may be the one who needs an intervention. 

It should be noted that I am not focused on teaching him writing or handwriting or proper letter formation or anything of that sort.  That can come later.  He's a typical boy who simply doesn't have those motor skills yet.  But when he colors I'd like him to hold the crayon properly. 

I know there are tools out there to help with proper grip, but those triangle crayons and pencil grips still allow for a wrong grip.  Trust me, I've tried them.  I've done Internet searches regarding pencil grips, and it seems like most "experts" say either the quad or the tripod grip is okay.  But I don't agree.  

Am I being unreasonable?  Other teachers please help me out!