OT Activity of the Day:
Pencil Grip Fun
Target Age Range: 4 and up
Yesterday I highlighted pencil grips that you can buy. Today I'm showcasing a way to adjust your child's pencil grip with an item you may have at home. So in this picture, you'll see I'm holding a pom in my right hand (if you don't have a pom, you can easily use a cotton ball). Please note that I'm only holding the pom in my pinky and ring finger. This will force, or promote, a tripod grasp as the only fingers available to your child will be the three necessary for a more functional grip.
As I said yesterday, a child's tendency to use a more "non-functional" grip is most likely a result from a decrease in hand strength or stability. In addition to using some of these corrective strategies, it's also important to address the lack of strength or stability. This blog is full of hand strengthen activities so feel free to add any of those activities, in addition to these corrective strategies, to your child's daily routine.
Enjoy!