Grasp Patterns
The use of a spoon for eating is one of the first tool-using skills that many infants acquire. Why does it matter how kids hold their spoon or even more relevant, their pencil? If you were to look in any classroom you will see a wide variety of ways that children hold their pencils, write, etc. There are what OT specialists call an "ideal functional pattern" for grasping pencils/ojbects but there are also many grasp patterns that are NOT functional and that can get in the way of a student's writing ability. In the newsletter Grasp Patterns the use of our hands for different tasks is described in depth and cool therapeutic ways to promote functional groups.We use the two sides of our hands for different tasks.
Muscles of the thumb side are primarily controlled by the median nerve and are used for skilled manipulation. The little finger side is primarily controlled by the ulnar nerve, and is uded for strength.
How you pick up things isn't really something we think about because it is pretty much an involuntary motion. We are always told that there are proper ways to type, correct posture, correct way to brush your teeth, etc but do you remember when you were taught how to write?
How many times did your parents take the spoon or pencil out of your hand and make you hold it the correct way?
Now take a second and think about how you would pick up and use an ice pick versus how you would pick up and use a needle and thread.
If you are anything like me you would pick up an ice pick by using your thumb, index and middle fingers for primary control and use my ring finger and little finger to control and stabilize the needle and thread.
Some of the cool interesting ways to promote functional grasps are listed below:
- Pop bubble wrap with thumb and index finger
- Draw in the sand with a stick
- Use eye droppers to drip water mixed with food coloring or paint
- Use chalk to draw big on sidewalk
- Lite Brite, Connect Four, Etch a Sketch, Perfection
- Legos, K'NEX
- Sticker books
Here are the two different groups of grasps.
Personally, I hold my pencil like the quadrupod and it luckily is a functional group.
What kind of grasp do you have and do you think it effects your writing ability?
This is interesting I've always wondered why people hold their pencils differently and if it reflects anything about us. I hold my pencil like the quadrupod also, randomly though sometimes people have asked me why I hold my pencil like that. I didn't realize people grasp differently until I was asked and it just made me more aware about the styles.
ReplyDeleteThis is quite interesting because I have a 1 1/2 year old and she is into picking up everything by herself, and feeding herself. I did not know there were different styles of grasping I always thought that the kids would just grow into whatever their style was. I know now that I need to pay attention and make sure she is holding her utensils in the right form.
ReplyDeleteI found your blog to be very interesting, I would have never thought that how about how you hold your spoon means so much. I will have to be more aware the next time I go visit my niece and nephew. Overall I feel like you did a great job with your post by adding in the pictures. It made it more interesting and easier to understand.
ReplyDeleteThis is so fascinating that there is actually a science to this! Like you, I use the quadropod, but I remember being in middle school and getting bored in art or English class and playing with the different types of holding the pencil, of course I didn't think anything of it. Also, my sister is an artist and I have seen her use different grasps of pencils or brushes to get different effects.
ReplyDeleteGreat info! My hand has been cramping from the traditional tripod grip, so I started using the stenographers grip and found it to be much more comfortable.
ReplyDelete