Writing and Cutting
The benchmarks children need to achieve to be able to hold and use a pencil or other writing implement correctly include the following:
- Development of the arches in the hand (the palm surface) needed for cupping the hand around small items
- Wrist flexion and extension
- Achieving and sustaining an open O-shaped space with the tips of the thumb and index finger touching, needed for grasping and holding small items and writing tools (as opposed to a “key” grip, when the pad of the thumb rests on the side of the index finger)
- Acquiring muscle strength and coordination of the thumb, index, and middle fingers (Lippincott, 2004)
Likewise, learning how to cut with scissors is challenging for children and takes much practice, encouragement, and the right kind of equipment. Occupational therapist Carrie Lippincott explains (2009):
The child is learning to use the thumb, index and middle fingers together to manipulate objects or tools. He or she must also learn to keep the ring and little fingers loosely tucked into the palm of the hand. This part of the hand plays a crucial role in providing stability for the dexterity fingers. So the best type of scissors to use is the “old fashioned” type with two loops of the same size.