2.5 year old not holding pen ...

zain

Our 2.5 year old boy really enjoys drawing and doodling but he is determined not to hold the pen correctly.
He is fairly effective without doing so and i wonder whether it matters.

Obviously the main thing is we want him to enjoy what he is doing but will he run into problems at school etc.?

Glad

my son never held pen properly either and school spent a lot of time trying to change his style so maybe it will be an issue, ELC sell triangular holders that slide over pencils to encourage a more usual grip, it has affected him slightly because he still does not hold pen in the normal way and handwriting is quite untidy still, he's 11 now.

MATH

It's quite common so don't panic Zaine. When I worked in Playgroup many children still held a pen 'dagger style' at 3 yrs. Let him see you writing and holding the pen properly and he will pick it up. Maybe you could buy yourself a special pen that will appeal to him and let him borrow it if he holds it in the 'special pen way'.

zain

Thanks, we saw a triangular holder at ELC today and decided he will probably pull it off so didn't buy it- but we may try it.
Man_bout_ the_house - your idea sounds good and will try it
Thanks

Spendless

If he's only 2 and a half now depending on when your LEA feeds kids into reception he's got at least 2 years befoore he's at school, possibly longer if the schools do 2 or 3 feeding in times.

I wouldn't worry too much - would be a shame to put him off his drawings and colourings.

superfly_2

I have always held a pen in an unconventional manner, it has not affected my daily life although at school they tried to get me out of it. I just find it more comfortable to hold it my way. I wouldn't worry too much

nearlyrich

I hold my pen funny too according to all who know me. I have legible writing and I particularly like writing with fountain pens. I hold the pen against my first knuckle of the third finger of my right hand and I have a little bump there which has developed over many years.

mini

You can buy triangular shaped pencils & pens, my daughter gets them from her teacher at school to help her, they are much eaier to hold, have hd a quick look online & you can buy coloured pencils too in the same shape,does he have any problem holding a knife & fork? If it's a problem with other things may be worth mentioning to Health Visitor, I have heard of foam grips being used to help grip with cutlery.

zain

Thanks for the tips- I think i am not going to worry too much.

However, he does hold the pen correctly in his fingers, he just insists on having the other end of the pen out of the back of his hand, rather than between the thumb and first finger. Does that make sense? So I am not sure a triangular pen will help.

I have to admit his drawings are quite impressive - ok so they are repetitive - mainly cars, ladders and trains but impressive nevertheless!

sheenagh_2

My gorgeous is only 2 and half, I can not believe she has been here for such a short space of time. I think she has plenty of time to get to grips with a pen, hey and the longer it takes the less drawing on the wall I will have to enjoy. ;D

alyssa_mae

My son is 4 1/2 and has only just stopped holding his pen as u've described. He still try's to revert back. we just keep encouraging him. but my 2 yr old girl holds a pen perfectly. I used to worry but realised once he started school he would eventually learn how to hold a pen properly. so I would'nt worry too much and just let him get on with it.(I think it's a boy thing.)

Thanks for the tips- I think i am not going to worry too much.

However, he does hold the pen correctly in his fingers, he just insists on having the other end of the pen out of the back of his hand, rather than between the thumb and first finger. Does that make sense? So I am not sure a triangular pen will help.

I have to admit his drawings are quite impressive - ok so they are repetitive - mainly cars, ladders and trains but impressive nevertheless!