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What Is a Pen Gripper? (And How It Improves Handwriting)

writing, children, learning
Table of Contents

A pen gripper, or commonly known as a pencil grip, is a small device that is used to hold a pen or pencil in place. It is usually made of plastic and has a small grip that can be inserted into the barrel of the pen or pencil.

The gripper is then placed over the top of the pen or pencil and held in place with a finger. This allows the user to write without having to hold the pens or mechanical pencils correctly in their hand.

A pen gripper, also known as a pencil grip is often used by people who have arthritis or other writing hand conditions that make it difficult to hold pens or pencils in their hands. They are the original ergonomic writing aid for kids and elders alike.

They can also be helpful and used by people who want to be able to write for long periods of time without having to grip the pen or pencil tightly and eventually develop their fine motor skills.

Pencil grips are relatively inexpensive and can be found in many office supply stores for your child.

Benefits Of A Pen Gripper

A pencil grip has several benefits that make it a useful tool for many people. Some of the most prominent benefits are:

  1. Pencil grips can make writing easier for people with conditions that make it difficult to hold a pen or pencil with the correct grip in their hand.
  2. Pencil grips can help people write for longer periods of time without having to grip the pen or pencil tightly.
  3. Pencil grips are relatively inexpensive, with the maximum being a few dollars per pencil grip.
  4. A pencil grip is small and portable, making them easy to take with you wherever you go.
  5. Pencil grips come in a variety of colors and styles, so you can choose one that suits your personality.
  6. Pencil grips can be used on any type of pen or pencil, allowing you to use your favorite writing utensil. All your child needs to do us learn to hold their pen or pencil correctly.
  7. Pencil grips are easy to use and require no special setup or installation. Simply place the gripper over the top of the pen or pencil and you’re ready to write.
  8. It encourages the use of the most effective tripod grasp. This means children and adults can write using this effective handwriting grasp.

If you’re looking for an easy way to make writing easier, a pencil grip may be the perfect solution for you. With so many benefits, it’s no wonder that these small devices are becoming increasingly popular.

Types of Pen Grippers & Pencil Grips

There are several different types of pencil grips available on the market, each with their own unique benefits. Some of the most popular types of pencil grips are:

The Triangular Pencil Grip

This is the most basic type of pencil grip and is often the cheapest as well. The triangular pencil grips were the most common in the past.

It encourages the use of a tripod grasp when holding the triangular barrel.

The Ball Pencil Grip

This type of pencil grip is designed to encourage an open web space so your child can hold the pencil and place their fingers in the correct spot.

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The Grotto Pencil Grip

This type of pencil grip allows children to push their thumb and index finger into the correct position without pushing too far. It is a comfortable pencil grip that allows children to know where to put their fingers without parents and teachers constantly reminding them.

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The Pinch Pencil Grip

This type of pencil grip is used for more advanced children who are getting used to how to hold the pencil but might just need some additional support.

This pencil grip encourages them to pinch the pencil but has a soft and comfortable design.

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The Two-sided Pencil Grip

This type of pencil grip has a different design on each side, so you can choose the side that is most comfortable for you.

The Stetro Grip

This type of pencil grip is small and discreet. These are the perfect pencil grips for children who are self-aware of what other peers might think or say if they saw them using something different.

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DIY Pen Grippers

Most pens that we purchase are nearly perfect, except the few that lack a comfortable grip. A pen with a great grip can be considered dependable in all situations giving your more control.

Thankfully, creating pen grippers is considerably easy. All you need is a good pen, a little extra time, and a few inexpensive materials.

Here are some ideas to get you started on your own pen grip journey:

DIY Form Cylinder Pen Grip

One of the oldest domestic means to create a pencil grip is using a form cylinder.

Similar to a pool noodle, cut the foam longways and you can slide the pencil into the middle of the foam. You can then seal the foam by using a hot glue gun.

DIY Rubber Band Pencil Grip

This is probably the easiest method on this list. All you need to do is find a rubber band. Wrap the rubber band around the barrel of the pen as many times as possible.

Having this comfortable rubber hold can help reduce the pressure that your child is holding onto the pencil.

DIY Rainbow Loom Pen Grips

Now if it is okay for you to get into something that is a little more complicated, there is a kid’s toy called the Rainbow Loom. You can give that a try.

The loom helps you weave colored rubber bands into bracelets, charms, and other trinkets. But you can use the same technique to make a comfortable grip for your pen.

All you need is a loom and some rubber bands. The great thing about this method is that you can make the grip in any color or pattern that you want.

To make the grip, start by threading the rubber bands onto the loom. Once you have a comfortable grip, carefully remove it from the loom. You might need to use a pair of scissors to cut off any excess rubber bands.

Now you just need to slide the grip over the barrel of your pen and you’re done.

Why Do Pens Usually Have Rubber Grippers

Have you ever noticed that pens with rubber grippers or ones that are a bit gummy feel more comfortable to write with? Have you ever wondered why?

The reason is that rubber provides a more comfortable and secure grip than other materials and other techniques. When you’re holding a pen with a rubber gripper, you can be sure that it won’t slip out of your hand, thereby improving your motor skills.

Rubber also has a softer feel than other materials, so it’s more comfortable to hold for long periods of time. This is extremely important for those who experience pain and fatigue while writing long pieces of essays.

Conclusion

There are a number of reasons why you might want to add a pen gripper to your pen and reduce hand fatigue. Maybe you’re looking for a more comfortable grip, or maybe you want to add some style to your writing utensil.

Whatever the reason, there are many benefits of using a pencil grip and a number of easy DIY methods that you can use to make your own pencil grip with items that you have around the house or can be shipped easily.

References:

Beck, C. (2020, September 25). Pen grip for handwriting pressure. The OT Toolbox. Retrieved March 28, 2022, from https://www.theottoolbox.com/pen-grip-for-handwriting-pressure/

Bridges, T. (2021, February 10). Ideas for DIY PEN / pencil grips. Pen Vibe. Retrieved March 28, 2022, from https://blog.penvibe.com/ideas-diy-penpencil-grips/

Dzidek, B., Bochereau, S., Johnson, S. A., Hayward, V., & Adams, M. J. (n.d.). Why pens have rubbery grips. NASA/ADS. Retrieved March 28, 2022, from https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2017PNAS..11410864D/abstract

Pen Grip. The teaching of handwriting. (2021, June 17). Retrieved March 28, 2022, from https://teachhandwriting.blog/tag/pen-grip/

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