Pencil grips and paint sticks, oh my! The Pencil Grip, Inc. is the best place to find both. Do you fight with your kiddo(s) to do their writing work? Do you dread the task of cleaning up after a painting project? Then read on!
Pencil Grips System
If you are like me, you fight with your kiddo(s) to do their writing. My youngest has fine motor delay, and he despises writing because of it. We’ve tried so many things, from special pencils, to a popular handwriting program that is supposed to eliminate tears. Nothing worked. Until Now. This three step pencil grip system (retail $5.37) is the best we have found. It’s designed to teach your kiddo(s) to hold the pencil properly, for a better writing experience.
Steps
The first step in the pencil grips training is the crossover grip (retail $1.79). While we got silver, it does come in other colors. This is great because of it’s wings that help you place your fingers correctly. They are kind of shaped like a superhero cape! This was pretty easy for my son to get used to, and he used it daily for about a week. The time frame will vary for each person.
The pinch grip (retail $1.79) is the second step of the pencil grips process. This is where the “wings” slowly decrease in size, to prepare for the use of the regular grip. It is still easy to hold, and still provides the same placement help to ensure proper pencil posture. Austin used this step for just over a week, and still reverts back to it often. Again, there is no specific time frame for these steps.
The final step of the pencil grips training is the original grip (retail $1.79). This is just a regular pencil grip. By this step of the training, your child will know how to hold it, but it still has that ergonomic style to assist in proper pencil posture. Austin switches between this step and the second step quite often, depending on what he is in the mood for that day. He has sensory issues, so he likes certain things on certain days. Who am I to argue?
Paint Sticks
Next up is these amazing Kwik Stix (retail $11.99 for 12 pack). These are solid paint sticks, made of tempra paint, but in a glue stick form! Say what? I know that when we paint, I dread the clean up process. It’s messy, and horrible. My Austin is a very messy painter, and gets it everywhere. Then we have to wait for the picture to dry, which is a hassle. You know what? Nevermind, we are not painting today..lol. But wait! We have Kwik Stix, so yes we are!
These are awesome. They come in a good color variety, and you can get a small package of 6 stix for $5.99, all the way up to a package of 96 for $86.40. There are different size packages in between. These are great because the kiddos color with them in stick form, and there are no messy paints to clean up. The color lays down nicely, and isn’t goopy or overly thick. The stix glide wonderfully on paper and are easy to hold. Do you want to hear the best part? They dry in 90 seconds or less! That means you don’t have to wait for the wet paint to dry, while trying to figure out where to lay it during said drying time. How awesome is that?
Great holiday gifts!
The pencil grips system and the Kwik Stix would both make wonderful holiday gifts! The pencil grip system would also make a wonderful gift for your kiddos occupational therapist, as it could be used with many kiddos. The Kwik Stix are going to be great stocking stuffers, and the price is great! Overall, I think any kiddo would love these!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Majenica
"Time spent with cats is never wasted." ~ Sigmund Freud
Catherine
Those pencil grips are great. Years ago, my grandson had to use them to help him grasp the pencil correctly.