Many 3 year olds tend to use all their fingers to hold chalk, crayon or pencil in the palm of their hand while their arm and elbow
3 Year Old Grasp
is held closer to their body and more directed toward the table. Their arm and hand movements are more controlled as they start to intentionally use their writing hand to copy lines down and across. They may also start to learn to make a circle and a cross. As a child reaches between 3 ½ to 4 years many begin to use what is technically referred to as a “Static Tripod”, to hold a marker which is held with nearer the point approximately between their index and middle fingers and thumb forming a tripod. At this stage you may notice that they begin to use their helping hand to hold the paper steady. Under supervision you can encourage your three-year-old to develop their hand skills in play activities such as those below.
Activities to help develop hand skills
- Stringing small beads on a piece of sting
- Lacing boards with small holes
- Wind-up toys with small knobs.
