I am having a very hard time getting my 3 year old to hold a pencil or crayon the right way. He loves to color but he doesn't hold the crayon right and I think he gets discouraged because his hand gets tired holding it the wrong way. I have tried and tried to show him how to hold it but then we both end up discouraged.
What can I do to help him?
My four year old did the same thing when he was three my mother in law is a teacher and she told me that he would eventually learn but if you are still concerned you can go to a parent teacher store and buy a special thing to go on his pencials that he will hold onto and itll teach him.
My son is in developmental preschool and they said to have him use broken crayons. I guess being smaller there is a better chance of holding it correctly.
You can get a little rubber finger gripper that slips on a pencil (probably a crayon, too). I think it may have cost around a dollar from United Art and Education (I believe that is the name of it). I even saw them one time at a Dollar Tree. My son's teacher recommended it and it worked like a charm. Once they hold it correctly over and over with the gripper, they get used to that being the comfortable way, and they will begin doing the correct hold without the gripper. I hope it helps you out.
First, use a fat crayon, not the normal skinny ones.
Second, break it in half so it's short. This will force the fingers over the top of it and into more or less the correct position.
Third, don't worry about it so much. :-) He's very young and many kids his age simply don't have the fine motor skills yet to do it correctly.
i would not be too worried about it yet. maybe his "fine motor skills" are just not developed enough to grip the crayon the "right" way yet. just let him do his thing and he'll figure it out in his own time.
Hi K.- well, if there's one thing I've learned since I became a mom, it's that I shouldn't sweat the small stuff. I completely agree with Lori {down below}. I think you should try to relax about the whole crayon-holding thing with Carson. It will likely come with time, quite possibly once he starts preschool and wants to model other kids. Plus, you know how toddlers are- he may just be picking up on your anxiety and holding back because he knows it gets a rise out of you!
good luck!
-K.
Honey at that age, the more you make a fuss...the less they are going to try your way. I taught at a Head Start years ago. Once they get into a preschool or even maybe by their next birthday they will pick it up right. Your child might still be going through that stage where there little hand just doesn't get it yet. I'd say just let them do what they do. If it gets you too upset, try having the child sit with the older children as they do some coloring or homework. Comment and compliment on how they are holding their utensils, making sure the little one understands what you are talking about without him knowing you're doing all this to benefit him. Most younger kids emulate the older ones. I really wouldn't let it get to you though. He'll most likely change when he's ready. YEARS ago..hahaha our first teachers taught us the proper way to hold crayons and pencils. Sometimes an outside source like this will make more of an impact. Good luck!!
