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How to assess your child's pencil grip and finger movements More about pencil grip and finger movements The thumb provides stability and this can be done with the thumb in a number of different positions as long as the grip as a whole allows for easy finger movements. This is an important point because it underscores the role of the thumb in pencil grip. This movement happens in response to the changing position of the fingers as they flex and extend. In a conventional tripod grip with the thumb in abduction the thumb joints do move. The thumb does not play an active role in moving the pencil tip Holding the thumb in adduction provides stability, especially for a child who hasВ hypermobileВ thumb joints.ДЄn adducted thumb position is effective if it allows small movements of the fingers to move the pencil tip. The thumb is held close to the forefinger - the thumb isВ adducted. In a thumb wrap graspВ the pencil shaft isВ stabilisedВ between the thumb and and the side of the forefinger and the middle finger. The shaft of the pencil rests in the corner of the thumb web spaceВ or against the side of the forefinger. The pencil is held between the pad of the thumb and the side of the forefinger. To achieve this position the thumb must be abducted. In a tripod grip the thumb is positioned with a gap between the thumb and the forefinger. Thumb stabilization in a dynamic tripod grasp pattern This can be done in different ways with the thumb in different positions.

TheВ stability functionВ is provided by gripping the pencil between the thumb and the side of the middle finger.

Flexion and extension movements of the fingers provide the mobility function.

The fingers and thumb are positioned on the pencil shaft to provide two different functions:В stability and mobility. The role of the thumb in creating an effective pencil grip This type of grip is sometimes referred to as a thumb wrap grip. Holding the thumb close to the shaft of the pencil seems to work best for these children. Teachers and therapists often recommend that a child adopt a dynamicВ tripod grip with a gap between the thumb and the pencil shaft.ДЄlthough many children will spontaneously adopt this position, it does not work for every child, and especially not for a child withВ hypermobileВ finger joints. This position does not allow easy finger movements. Some children hold the pencil with all the fingers resting on the pencil. In the picture below the pencil is stabilised between the pads of the thumb and fingers. The index and middle fingers straight (extended). In this grip configuration the pencil with the middle finger resting on top of the pencil shaft. Straight finger grip with index finger resting on top of the pencil shaft A tight tripod graspДЄ tripod graspВ where the pencil is held very tightly with the index and middle finger strongly flexed at the first middle finger joint and over extended at the end finger joint does not allow for easy small movements of the fingers. (More about thumb position)ДЄ pencil graspВ is not functional if it does not allow the child to easily make small bending and straightening (flexion and extension) movements of the fingers to manipulate the pencil point on the paper. This position is commonly seen in children with hypermobile fingers. The thumb may also be held close to the index finger (thumb adduction). Some children adopt a typical tripod graspВ with the thumb held away from the index finger with a gap between the thumb and index finger. TIP: Click on the gear to for slow motion playback. In this short video you see how I use a combination of small finger movements, combined with small wrist movements to draw short lines in different directions.

The wrist is held straight (in extension).ДЄ good graspВ allows the child to make small bending and straightening movements of the fingers.

The ring and middle fingers rest lightly in the palm of the hand.

The three finger tripod graspВ the most common configuration: the pencil is stabilised between the thumb and the side of the index and middle fingers. More about pencil grasp and finger movementsДЄ good pencil grasp pattern allows the child to hold the pencil in the hand in such a way that small movements of the fingers and wrist can be used to move the pencil point in all directions on the paper. Helping the child to adopt a grip that allows for effective finger action and then working on activities that train effective finger action for drawing short lines is an better option for improving a child's pencil manipulation skills.