Good pencils for kids learning to write
I went to a parent meeting today where the topic was Kindergarten readiness. One great suggestion I heard was that giving kids short writing instruments helps them learn the correct writing grasp. And it really works! Usually my son has his a fist wrapped around his pen while he practices his letters. When I try to show him how to hold it, he gets pretty frustrated and wants me to leave him alone.
But when I handed him a short little marker this afternoon, his hand magically held it with the right grasp. It’s not that I am an anal mom who needs him to hold a pen perfectly, but I’ve read (and I guess it’s common sense) that holding it in that dagger-like grip can lead to cramping and then frustration with writing in general.
These Faber-Castell 12 Jumbo Triangular Color Eco Pencils seem to be the perfect learning pencils because not only are they short, they’re also jumbo, triangular (a major innovation in the pretty boring history of the pencil) which also encourages the right grip, colorful, and eco-friendly. If anyone has any other good ideas for new writers, please share!!
$7.50 at Creative Kid Stuff
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Tri-conderoga. A triangular shaped pencil by Ticonderoga. It comes in two sizes…a smaller no. 2 size and a larger style in black which works really well for the younger set.
Thanks for the tip. This site has a clearance on their Faber-Castell products; I just ordered a bunch: http://www.juliestuff.com/Pages/FaberCastellArtSupplies.htm
I teach Pre-K Autism and we use these pencils. They are great for using the correct hand position. Transitions are made easier to regular pencils after using these to start with.
http://catalog.msmarysschoolsource.com/original_penagain_24_piece_bucket-p-170239.html
Tanya – seeing “Ticonderoga” brings me back to my school days and the smell of freshly sharpened pencils.
MamaKate – Thanks for the tip. I love Faber-Castell and a good clearance sale too!
Rachel – I think I want a penagain for myself! They’re available individually on Amazon.com too.
Elaina-Thanks for the tip. I usually buy from this store since it’s close to my school. They make pens as well as pencils in this design. They are quite fun to write with!! The eraser is on the sides of the pencil (the soft edges). We call them “rocket pencils” in my class.