[theretohere]

DD is three and holds it in her fist- I wouldn't care except she pushes so hard that they break!<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol"><br>
I've been trying to model holding them like a pencil, if that makes sense, but she doesn't seem to get it.

 

[Ravin]

you could get her block crayons instead of the stick kind.<br><br>
My DD holds them right but then I've encouraged this since she first picked up a pen, pencil, or crayon before age 2.

 

[CarrieMF]

2 of my kids learned by 2 or 3. My middle dd is in K. She was still holding hers in a fist at the beginning of the school year, most of the time now she holds it the right way. It is common for kids to figure it out by 3, but observing the classrooms my kids are in it is just as common for them to hold it in a fist at age 5.

 

[LynnS6]

Between 3 and 5. That's why 'beginner' crayons are so much thicker!<br><br>
If you want to work on the grip, let her use the little pieces that break off. The very small ones can't be gripped with a fist, and thus help a child develop a pencil grip.

 

[teachma]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>LynnS6</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7987037"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
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If you want to work on the grip, let her use the little pieces that break off. The very small ones can't be gripped with a fist, and thus help a child develop a pencil grip.</div>
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This is an excellent suggestion and really works! My three year old is mostly holding her crayons correctly at this point, but my son was much closer to 5 before he did.

 

[theretohere]

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<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>LynnS6</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7987037"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Between 3 and 5. That's why 'beginner' crayons are so much thicker!<br><br>
If you want to work on the grip, let her use the little pieces that break off. The very small ones can't be gripped with a fist, and thus help a child develop a pencil grip.</div>
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Wow, that's a great suggestion! Thanks!

 

[rmzbm]

Varies by child. DD is 13 months & holds them correctly already.

 

[Momily]

Anytime between 3 and 5 is "normal". It's also interesting to know that often toddlers seem to hold a pencil or crayon really nicely (although the grip is "static" rather than "dynamic" meaning that they move their whole hand rather than just their fingers), and then lose that grip around 2 or 2 1/2, then regain it later.<br><br>
Breaking the crayons into little pieces is a great way to teach grip.<br><br>
Other fun things to do to encourage good grip:<br><br>
1) Play with turkey basters, and eye droppers in the bath, or with colored water in glasses to make pretty colors.<br><br>
2) Tear tissue paper into tiny pieces, crumple them up and glue them on things.<br><br>
3) Use little pieces of sponge to paint, or to "write" or draw with water on a chalkboard.<br><br>
4) Eat with tweezers or the kind of chopsticks that are stuck together on one end -- you can either buy these or make them by taking a pair of chopsticks, rolling up the wrapper, and wrapping a rubber band around it -- I can't really explain it, ask any waiter at a Chinese or Japanese restaurant and they'll teach you.<br><br>
Have fun doing these things!

 

[lovingmommyhood]

DS was doing it when he was 2. He's a lefty. I'm sure it's different for all kids.

 

[secondseconds]

Is there a right way to hold a crayon? It's art baby, not handwriting! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1">

 

[lyttlewon]

I have no idea the "age". She has held a pen/pencil/crayon properly as long as I can remember. Maybe around 2 <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/shrug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="shrug">

 

[hubris]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>secondseconds</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7989027"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Is there a right way to hold a crayon? It's art baby, not handwriting! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1"></div>
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I have to agree! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol"><br><br>
But yes, kids do tend to start holding a crayon more like an adult holds a pencil as their fine motor coordination develops. I personally have never felt a need to *teach* this to my kids. I believe that they do whatever is appropriate for their developmental stage and that they'll progress when their body is ready.<br><br>
I can't remember exactly when my 4 y/o started holding a crayon with his fingertips instead of his fist - maybe before 3? Maybe slightly after? I've noticed that DS2 does more fine-motor stuff with crayons/pens at 22 mos than DS1 did at that age, and I think the difference is partly personal developmental difference and partly that DS2 has a sibling to copy.

 

[peachpie]

dd is almost 4 and in the past couple months she's made the transition. Before that, her preK teacher told me I should only keep the fat crayons around... but i ignored her because I personally like to have lots of different colors available. Love the box of 64! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/winky.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink">