The Importance of Holding a Pencil Correctly

As I read through Charlotte Mason’s home education series, I’m going to share what I’ve learned along with some thoughts about the passage.

“It would be a great gain if children were taught from the first to hold the pen between the first and second fingers, steadying it with the thumb. This position avoids the uncomfortable strain on the muscles produced by the usual way of holding a pen - a strain which causes writer’s cramp in later days when there is much writing to be done.”

I loved reading this passage so much. It reminded me of when I was a little girl, learning to hold a pencil.

I can see this being a skill that is overlooked. But I agree with Miss Charlotte Mason. Over the years of teaching, I saw many students hold the pencil incorrectly and have poor handwriting and a dislike for writing. This simple tip can help.

As you’re teaching your child to hold a pencil. Like everything, have patience, and repeat, repeat, and repeat. A soft spoken gentle repetition, will help the child build the habit of how to hold a pencil correctly.

How do you teach children to hold a pencil correctly?