Development of Pencil Grip Position in Preschool Children

Abstract

Pencil grip is an aspect of handwriting that has been addressed by occupational therapists who treat children with handwriting difficulties. However, there has been little research investigating the developmental progression of pencil grip in Taiwanese children. Without knowledge of normal development, therapists cannot justify a diagnosis of “unusual” or “bizarre” pencil grips. This study was designed to investigate the developmental progression in pencil grips in Taiwanese children. The subjects were 326 children aged 2.5 to 6.4 years. The type of grips each child used to perform a drawing task was videotaped. A developmental assessment of pencil grips compiled by Schneck and Henderson was used to rate children's grip positions. A developmental pregression was noted and 14 grip patterns were identified. About half of the 3- to 3.4-year old children were able to employ a mature grip when drawing in a 7.89 cm x7 cm box. By the age of 4, about three fourths of the children were able to use mature grips to draw. For children aged 5 years and older, the percentage increased to more than 90%. Comparison of the results with those of Schneck and Henderson (1990) suggests that Taiwanese children 3.5 to 5.9 years of age are more advanced than American children of the same age. In addition, the percentage of Taiwanese children using the lateral tripod is much higher than that of American children. Possible reasons for these differences are proposed. Implications for occupational therapy and suggestions for future studies are discussed.