Besides a fuzzy ball, you could use just about anything little to place in the palm of the hand---a bead, a little ball of paper, or a cute little eraser like these:
Jen Dermody, OTR/L
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Fuzzy Ball Fix 
I have a 2nd grade student who has looooong challenged me for trying to correct his pencil grasp. He holds the pencil with all of his fingers on the pencil and it is a super INefficient grasp! Looks like this:
When I give him assist to correct it, he INSISTS that it "hurts", trying to describe that it feels funny for him to hold it any other way. If I can catch him in a cooperative mood, he does well with my "fuzzy ball" game. I give him a small fuzzy ball that he places in his palm and holds in place with his 4th and 5th finger. He "wins" if the fuzzy ball is still in his palm when he finishes his writing.
Keep in mind that the pencil is a little too upright in the picture ---this was when he first picked up the pencil---I had another picture a moment later with the pencil positioned down a bit more but unfortunately the picture didn't save! This little guy's teacher is on board with trying to help him correct his grasp consistently. I gave her a couple of fuzzy balls to use with this student and any others she thinks could use it (also helps this student to not feel singled out). I'm going to set up a chart where he'll earn a sticker for each targeted time he uses the fuzzy ball for writing and have him earn a little prize of some sort.
Besides a fuzzy ball, you could use just about anything little to place in the palm of the hand---a bead, a little ball of paper, or a cute little eraser like these:
Consistency is key! Teachers and parents who encourage their students to practice everyday will surely see improvement!
Jen Dermody, OTR/L
Besides a fuzzy ball, you could use just about anything little to place in the palm of the hand---a bead, a little ball of paper, or a cute little eraser like these:
Jen Dermody, OTR/L
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Aubrey's OT had us use a cotton ball.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking of Aubrey yesterday and wondering if she's started the Handwriting Without Tears camp yet? I really want to hear how it goes :)
ReplyDeleteJen
Hi there,
ReplyDeleteShe starts HWOT class on October 3rd. I'll keep you updated.
Do you know of any good resources for gross motor skills? We're trying to work on balancing and hopping on one foot.
I love all of the great ideas on your blog. Thanks for posting them!
Just saw this on Pinterest and clicked over to read more! Thanks so much for the tip. I can't wait to look over your blog. You have a new reader here. :) I have a 6yr old boy who goes to OT once a week for fine motor development. He does not qualify for in school OT because that is the only area he has a need. His OT told me the other day that she thinks he will be there through next summer. Very discouraging. I am hoping we will see lots of progress this school year.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for reading! It sounds like you're such a good Mom and getting your little guy the intervention he needs. School is GREAT practice and there is a ton of fine motor experience in kindergarten and 1st grade. My own son fought me every step of the way about fine motor tasks....he had far better things to do :) It's not a choice once they get into daily school routines and kids are usually much more willing to cooperate for their teachers than for Mom especially when all of their peers are participating. Hang in there! A big reason I started this website was to offer ideas to parents like you who are looking for some simple ideas to help their own kiddos, so I really appreciate you stopping by. Feel free to email any specific questions you might have and I'll do my best to help :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Jen :)
I saw this post and tried it the next day and it worked wonders! I had two students using this and then another one said to me, "Sometimes I don't hold my pencil the right way." This little girl holds her pencil perfectly well, but she loved having a fuzzy to hold on to. I love any accommodation that the other kiddos want to get in on. :-)
ReplyDeleteAmy @ First Things First
Thanks Amy! I love hearing stories about strategies that WORK in the classroom! Thank you so much for sharing =)
ReplyDeleteJen
I can't wait to try this with my daughter! Thank you for making this information available!
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome! I hope it helps your daughter :)
ReplyDeleteJen
You made pinterest girl! You are the OT blogger of the year. LOL! HUGS!
ReplyDeleteJust saw this on Pinterest! I will be trying it this afternoon.
ReplyDeleteJust read this on pinterest...thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHi, I'm a new follower from Pinterest! Thanks for posting this idea--I'm going to try it with my 9 year old son. He has always had a strange pencil grip and messy handwriting. I've given him every gripper out there and he says they all "feel weird." But he also says that his hand gets tired when he holds the pencil his way.
ReplyDeleteI wish his teachers had corrected this back when he was younger--old habits are hard to break! We'll try the fuzzy ball and see if it helps. It sounds fun!
I am an OT also. I call the pom-pom a puffy the kids are very receptive of the soft ball. To get the pencil down more onto the hand, I wrap a metal nut with a rubberband near the eraser end.
ReplyDeleteGREAT IDEA!! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI might try this on myself - I help kids with literacy one-to-one including things like letter formation etc but am painfully aware that I learnt to hold a pen wrong, and continue to do so! Bigger incentive for the kids to try it if I do too perhaps? Or maybe I'll secretly practise at home and then show them how!
ReplyDeletevisiting from Pinterest. The original grasp looks like my 6 year old daughter. Totally going to try this. I will check out the rest of your blog too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip.
This just most wonderful thing i saw and clicking on blog i have now become fan to your page and follower to your blog. My son is 5 and been in Early Childhood Invention since 1year old and they have been by far the best w/ services. He also gets Intervention in school( preschool) such amazing difference they do as as me learning to help. We now will be having OT as well for his writing and this something will have try w/ him and maybe share w/ OT he has. Anything that better him i'm all for. So glad to have seen your blog.Thank you for what you do as well!
ReplyDeleteHas anyone tried the Yoropen or pencil? I have one; I got it at the college store in my hometown.
ReplyDelete