The characteristics of the pencil grip of 6-7-year-old children in Japan

抄録

The purpose of this study is to clarify the patterns of 6-7-year-old children's pencil grip in Japan, and to clarify the relationship between grip pattern and gender. The participants were 80 first graders in the regular class of an elementary school (40 boys, 40 girls). Of the 80 children, 20 percent implemented a standard pencil grip. Additionally, 60 percent of the children held their pencil with three fingers, and 70 percent held their pencil near the tip. Analyses were conducted to determine factors related to gripping the pencil near the tip, and this practice was found to significantly differ with respect to thumb IP joint flexion. There was no significant difference regarding the position of the thumb, gender, and the number of fingers that touch the pencil. The data revealed that about 20 percent of 6- and 7-year-old children implemented an average pencil grasp.