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Child cannot hold things properly i.e. cannot use pen/pencil appropriately

If your child is having difficulty holding things properly with their fingers, seeking occupational therapy to help them develop the fine motor skills is important

If your child is having difficulty holding things properly with their fingers and cannot use a pen or pencil appropriately, it may be beneficial to seek occupational therapy to help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing and other everyday activities. Here are some recommendations for parents:

  • Seek professional help: If your child's behavior is impacting their daily life and functioning, consider seeking the help of a professional such as an Physio therapist or Occupational therapist who can provide guidance and support.

  • Strengthening Exercises: The therapist may use exercises to help your child develop the hand and finger strength needed for writing. This can include squeezing a stress ball, using putty, or doing finger push-ups.

  • Hand-Eye Coordination: The therapist may work with your child on hand-eye coordination activities, such as tossing and catching a ball or threading beads.

  • Grasp Patterns: The therapist may teach your child different grasp patterns to use for writing, such as the tripod grasp or the quadropod grasp.

  • Pencil Grip: The therapist may help your child develop an appropriate pencil grip, such as the dynamic tripod grasp, which involves holding the pencil between the tips of the thumb, index finger, and middle finger.

  • Writing Practice: The therapist may work with your child on writing practice activities, such as tracing letters or copying words and sentences.

  • Environmental Modifications: The therapist may suggest modifications to your child's environment to make writing tasks easier, such as using larger pencils or providing a slanted writing surface.


By seeking occupational therapy and following these recommendations, you can help your child develop the fine motor skills needed for writing and other everyday activities. With time and practice, they can overcome their difficulties and thrive in their development.

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