Free GACE Elementary Education P-5 (702) Flashcards

The fist grasp, called a palmar supinate grasp, is an early stage in which the shoulder and arm do the work, so the child has not yet built the finger control that fine writing needs. The fingertip grasp is more mature and is moving toward a dynamic tripod. The teacher should not force a correct grip on the first child. Thick crayons, short pencils, clay, and tweezers build hand strength so the grasp can progress, because finger control has to develop before small controlled letters are possible.