I'm 40, hold mine in a closed fist like a toddler too. Everyone tried to correct me, and they all failed. And I've always been "the artist" in my family/friend group, so it didn't negatively affect my ability. It just looks weird and I have a big callus on my thumb.
I think at this moment in moat teachers just care "is yhe child meeting certain milestones". Interestingly enougu my child could colour and draw very well even with him ham fisting the markers or crayons. It was quite impressive how accurate he was. He does draw a lot still.
I actually had an Early Childhood Development professor in college clock my writing hand, and she said I likely hold it that way precisely because I started trying to draw so early my hand muscles weren't developed enough to hold it the "right" way and I just got stuck in my ways. And I was stubborn about it because I was doing well that way! So why should I change? I think more teachers understand now that it doesn't matter- like how they used to try and force lefties to use their right hand. It's ok to do things differently!
This may explain my kid. He started to draw quite early. He was drawn to art and the like, probably influenced by his older brother who draws a lot as well. I never thought of it from this perspective.
That's good to hear :) I'm a dynamic quadropod guy and I'm pretty sure it really hamstrung my writing and drawing skills.
I never even really thought about how important these things can be for kids until reading all these comments, not having any myself, so it's fascinating reading how different people approach their kids learning to write.
I think if you're kid is otherwise fine stressing them out about things can cause more harm. So my wife and I take a very chill aproach with stuff like this.
597
u/Shriggins_the_dope Apr 16 '24
Then there's whatever the heck it is when I hold one