Great New pencil grip, so it seems

I hate pencil grips, period.

I cannot stand squishy rubber.

If as a student I had had one of these forced on me, I would have been very very negative.

My daughter also and she can be even more-pig-headed than I can — I would not like to see the teacher try to use one of these with her.

Hey, they’re even made in the U.S.A.
Could be that if they’re really comfortable and were introduced early, *before* habits were ingrained, that they could keep a “grip-hater” from forming, but yes, I’d be mindful that there still might be a student for whom it really wasn’t the appropriate intervention.

The grip-hating for us is more on the sensory thing — we cannot stand squishy sticky rubber, or often the smell of it, or the smell of it on our hands. Also a need to move freely without restrictions. We both have certain food texture issues and clothing issues as well, that spectrum, nothing all that serious but …

Some of my kids love pencil grips. When I showed it to primary teachers they were all for it. (Each teacher wanted a few, not for the entire class) While it would be great to watch each kid every minute to ensure correct pencil gripping, its impossible. Better to break a habit earlier not later.

Several of my students have poor pencil grip and have been sharing this new grip. Sure, it novel, but this one is better because when you set it down on the table for a minute to pause, you can pick it up easily and know where to hold. The top part of the grip has wings and so you can’t grab it wrong. (after practice)

Hey, I don’t ever force stuff like this. Today we made our stress balls. I don’t force kids to use something they’re not comfortable with. IF it works, even for a while, then…..we move forward with our learning.

I do have kids with all kinds of issues. I keep my mind open and try new things as I constantly learn. If we don’t try new things, we can get stale. I have one kid, my OCDer who went from a regular pencil to a mechanical one. I HATE mechanical pencils. I don’t allow them because they get in the way. But, the OT recommended it. So, guess what…..huge improvement. His writing is so much better. Still far off from average but….hey, we tried something new. My point is, keeping an open mind might help a kid now and again.

That pencil grip is totally for youngsters, eh? I mean, if you were tutoring someone through a lit. program or if you personally had a bad pencil grip then it would not work? I am just wondering. I am seriously wondering about this if you were teaching adults to read. Some of the adults I teach to read are scared to fully hold their pens.

This part right here, I am not seriously wondering about…
I am kinda on Victoria’s side because I am too old to learn a new grip and I also think that my hand and lead pencil have grown incorporate within one another. Really gothic thing that flares up during this final exam season we have here in Tn this time of year. But, I use pencil grips now because I am real old and my hand is messed up from always having a death grip. So Victoria, gosh darnit :D one day, you too might have to use a pencil grip.

Merlin, the day I use a pencil grip will be the day my arthritis is so bad that someone has to strap it to my wrist. And that should be many decades down the road.

Michelle, why do I get the feeling that you didn’t actually read my post?

I was joshing with you in order to bring some levity to this thread. It is close to holiday season and I was just in a joshing mood. Obviously, I mean no disrespect towards you or Michelle. I think those pencil grips look neat, actually.

VIctoria, I did read your post. I totally respect you and your generous wealth of knowledge that you share, all the time. I always read what you post. You don’t like pencil grips, period. That is fine. Many of us here have very strong opinions based on our experiences as people and teachers.

My point was, you don’t like them but….for maybe a child, this could be something that works. I wanted to point out that I had closed mind to mechanical pencils. Someone had to open my eyes and I did try it. Do I let all the others use it no. Would I force this kid to use the mechanical penicl no or any other new idea, proablably not. Your post just kind of sounded like you might think I force it. I was just clarifying that I don’t. Sometimes on posts, you can’t read the body language or tone. I never intend to flame, just clarify.

Keep on posting, and keep on giving your opinion. It is always good to hear what other people think or do in their class.
Michelle

Let’s all just, ahem, get a grip???

(Sorry, couldn’t resist!! Ducking as gripped and gripless pencils fly by…)

Okay, I am catching up from a wonderful week at IDA where I happened to room with Michelle!!! We had a great time!!!

Michelle, you could figure I’d eventually chime in here! I found out about the grotto grip at a state IDA session last March presented by an LD school director and OT. I immediately ordered a package of 25. These kids I tutor have handwriting issues at least half the time or more, and I do use the grips with those who have very poor grips. The kids love it and I am very pleased with how it relieves the pressure on thier little nhands by giving them proper positioning and some cushion. If I ever had a child who was sensory defensive and hated it (for you, Victoria), I certainly would not make them use it (but that hasn’t happened yet). I ordered a couple of other grips to try at the same time, but the Grotto is the best by far. I am committed to trying to improve handwriting as I do reading therapy with the younger children, and a pencil grip is very helpful for some of them. I am using the handwriting instruction in ABeCeDarian or Handwriting Without Tears.

Janis

I laughed so loud when I read Sue’s response my family was looking at me funny. Too witty Sue.

Janis, even though we did room together, we didn’t discuss the grip. Glad to hear you have experience with it. I’m just now going through all the “stuff” I collected from the IDA and sorting. I was on information overload but I loved every minute of the conference.

I just approached the student council to order a batch of these pencil grips. It was so funny, every grade level I approached said to make sure I check with the earlier grades.

I think that since kids in preschool are starting to write more, there are issues with grip getting ingrained and not being able to change. Kids come to school and often have the wrong grip from the get go.

All I know is I do have many kids who do have issues with the grip. Maybe its not too late. Maybe it is. But, it can’t hurt to try if the child is willing to try.

Michelle

The trip was just too short for us to cover every topic!

Here is where I ordered my Grotto Grips in case you want to price shop, Michelle. Let me know if the IDA source is cheaper. I haven’t looked.

http://www.theraproducts.com/index.php?main_page=product_therapro_info&products_id=186884

Janis

I tend to think grips are overdone as well, but I think there is a time for them. I had a kid whose grip was so odd— well there was some brain injury involved so that might have explained it. Anyway, I can’t even do his grip! Anyway, I got this grip from the Therapy Shoppe, called the Handiwriter. I don’t think you could get a regular teenager to use this as it really looks odd. Anyway, it was invented (or at least recommended by the woman who does Handwriting without Tears). http://www.therapyshoppe.com/product.php?cat=1&id=27&offset=48

This really improved his handwriting, going from almost illegible to very legible. (Also the program, HWT, worked.) It put his hand in a normal handwriting position, and also taught him how to get his hand there, so he can write legibly without it.

—des

Hi, des, I like Handwriting Without Tears, too! I took the training last April. I tie it into reading tutoring when I can.

I can honestly say that pencil grips are not overused here. I never see them used at all!

I have been reading more about dysgraphia and handwriting lately. And one thing I have found out is that if there are issues with letter formation, it hampers the child’s written expression aside from any language issues. They have to put so much mental energy into the physical act of writing that they cannot focus on the content. So there is real reason to try and help children early develop a proper pencil grip rather than grasping it for dear life! Those that do squeeze too tightly can really benefit from a grip like the Grotto Grip. It also helps the child use the fingers to control the pencil instead of the wrist or arm.

The other thing to develop after letter formation is handwriting fluency. A friend quoted from a study where kids improved calculus performance just by working on number writing fluency!!! I think that is a facinating area to consider. Fluency in all basic skills facilitates higher level skills. We all know that…it’s just applying it to all areas that we need to think about. I have ordered a handwriting fluency program from Sopris West and will let you know if it is worthwhile.

Janis