I was taught that the correct way to hold a pen(cil) was with the index finger held straight outward away from the writer, the thumb doing the same.The other three fingers supporting the hand. I know that sounds difficult but go on, try it. I see kids today with the pen entirely hidden in a clutched type writing style, all of the fingers pointing backwards for heavens sake! As well as this they do not sit in an upright position, but bend over entirly covering their work. My way is totally relaxed and that way I can write for hours without difficulty. Are children taught this way now or is it simply that they have never been taught the correct way?
2006-09-29 00:17:34 · 30 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
when they r small and grab crayons or pencils they r never corrected as to how to hold the pencils properly that's what i think anyway and the bad habit just stays with them
2006-09-29 00:21:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
In primary 1 I was taught to hold my pencil the same as you. Problem was I could never do it and so I too hold my pencil in a semi fist. I have always found it easier for me and the teachers were demented with me as a child. I even got the ruler over the knuckles for not holding it correctly.
I do think you have a point though as the kids today are much more lax in everything they do - I don't think mine were taught in school or nursery how to actually hold a pencil.
Sign of the times I suppose!!
2006-09-29 07:23:09 · answer #2 · answered by puzzled 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I first went to school well over 40 years ago I was taught how to use a pen(cil), I still do my own thing even today and have to say my handwriting is beautiful and I am very good at calligraphy too, but it was no thanks to the teachers who insisted we hold a pen or pencil in a particular way, we used to bend over covering our work too, all kids do that and have done that for years, OK we did get told off for it but its just a kid thing, the use of computers in schools today doesn't give much need for pens and pencils really.
2006-09-29 08:06:30 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's the same with a knife, fork and spoon. The children have to be taught table manners and, in the same way, they have to be taught to write correctly and neatly, without causing themselves to suffer from eye-strain and back problems.
This is not a matter of education, it's TRAINING. Do it right and there's a reward, do it wrong and there's punishment. After all, a child with no table manners gets invited nowhere - at least, in polite society.
It's high time that neatness was again marked up or down in ALL GCSE exams as teachers/examiners are frequently supposed to mark utterly illegible work. my policy was always, if I can't read (or understand) it, 0 marks.
2006-09-29 07:50:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I should introduce you to a now ex-friend of mine. She doesn't have many friends, and you are perfect for each other. She had a big problem over a relation's child getting one of his letters the wrong way round when he wrote her birthday card. He was only five or six, and as he was staying with her, she gave him a good telling off and made the poor soul sit down and copy it again and again.
When she told me about this (she always has a boast about belittling people whether it's children, workmates or shop or hotel staff) I explained to her that it was quite usual for children to do that, and they get it right in time.
You think you are educated? Watch a few documentaries about the real problems people have, and how extraordinary they are.
2006-10-01 08:51:02 · answer #5 · answered by Thia 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It' s great that you were taught a way that enables you work well and comfortably. However, it is not the only way. I hold my pen differently to you, and I find it comfortable and am also able to write for hours! Children today are encouraged to find a way that works for them, which may or may not be the same way that you were taught.
2006-09-29 07:43:27 · answer #6 · answered by happy chappie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure how old these children you refer to are but young preschoolers to primary school aged children "LEARN" to hold the pen/pencil (I know three year olds start learning the digital grip - that may help you with a google/yahoo search) and this changes with age. It's a development stage like walking and talking.
It's like asking why can't children walk or talk when they are born?
2006-09-29 07:30:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope they are developing there dexterity skills - in the older generations you were not taught - you were made to hold your pencils in certain ways - same as people who were left handed were made to forget this and write with there right hand. If you are totally relaxed at writing then it didnt do you any harm - its just teaching styles are different now.
2006-09-29 07:20:49 · answer #8 · answered by kinnoishere 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Hey Mike,
The answer is the same reason that you can't hold a pair of Chop Sticks properly.
It takes time and practice!
James in San Diego
P.S. With me it's Chain Saws! Not Pretty!
2006-09-29 07:28:16 · answer #9 · answered by jpr_sd 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People kill me talking about the correct way this the correct way that. Ok is it correct for someone to write with their left hand then? Damn, its a child. They are still developing fine motor skills, duh! You wan them to know how to drive a car too? You are anal. I hope you don't work with kids, correction is fine and teaching a general technique is great, but you cannot pool kids into one big lump of what they should be doing. People(kids) learn differently, hence grade levels and stuff like that.
2006-09-29 15:52:02 · answer #10 · answered by Kristi W 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
There is no right way to hold a pencil!
Children hold a pencil in way that is comfortable to them. I remember when i was in first grade i wrapped my hand around the pencil and crossed my middle finger and my index finger.
2006-09-29 07:20:03 · answer #11 · answered by B-B@!! P!@Y@ 4 · 5⤊ 1⤋