Welcome to the Pencil Grasp Challenge!

pencil grasp challenge course includes pencil grasp playbook, bundle, certificate of completion, pencil grasp activities, and data collection sheets

I am SO excited about this challenge. What is the Pencil Grasp Challenge? Well, if you know a child who struggles with pencil grasp, holds the pencil with a tight or inefficient grip, uses all of their fingers to hold a pencil, or writes with an awkward grasp, the Pencil Grasp Challenge is for you!

We’ve updated this challenge to add more resources and tools to promote functional pencil grasp for efficient and legible handwriting. Here’s what’s new…

We amped up the resources and added data collection and observation tools, the Pencil Grasp Play Book, the Pencil Grasp Bundle so you can continue to work on the areas impacting handwriting, and added a certificate of completion for this challenge.

If you are a member and access the challenge through your membership, or purchase the paid challenge, it INCLUDES a certificate of completion for 1.2 contact hours!

Challenge Includes:

  1. Five lessons that break down pencil grasp into actionable activities
  2. Five Activities based on underlying skills needed for a functional pencil grasp
  3. Five Observation Sheets and Data Collection Sheets to track progress on the underlying areas that make up a functional pencil grasp
  4. Challenge Intro Workbook
  5. Pencil Grasp Play Book- Play-based activities and checklists to foster pencil grasp and fine motor skills ($8 value)
  6. Pencil Grasp Bundle ($42 value)
  7. Certificate of Completion for 1.2 contact hours!

These items are not included in the free email version of this challenge: Observation Sheets for each activity, Data Collection sheets, Pencil Grasp Play Book and Pencil Grasp Bundle. You can get these resources only in the paid version of the challenge or in the membership. What You’ll Learn:

  • Why behaviors and big emotions affect learning and participation.
  • The connection between emotions, the fight-flight-freeze response, and self-regulation challenges.
  • The role of heavy work, proprioceptive input, and whole-body movements in supporting regulation.
  • How to teach deep breathing techniques to hijack anxiety and promote calm.
  • Practical ways to integrate self-regulation tools into classroom settings.

In this 5 lesson challenge, I’ll be teaching everything you need to know about the skills that make us a functional pencil grasp. You’ll learn what’s going on behind the inefficient and just plain terrible pencil grasps you see everyday in the classroom, clinic, or home. Along with loads of information, you’ll gain quick, daily activities that you can do today with a student or your own child. These are easy activities that use items you probably already have in your home right now.

pencil grasp challenge course includes pencil grasp playbook, bundle, certificate of completion, pencil grasp activities, and data collection sheets

The Pencil Grasp Challenge is a comprehensive, self-paced online course designed to equip occupational therapy practitioners, educators, and caregivers with practical strategies to address this critical need.

Let me tell you a little more about the challenge.

PENCIL GRASP CHALLENGE

The pencil grasp challenge for kids

If you already signed up, be sure to check your email, because I have some surprises there for you and access to our private community.

If you haven’t sighted up yet, but want to, find the link to join us below.

What is the Pencil Grasp Challenge?

The pencil grasp challenge is a 5 day mini course and challenge. During the course of five days, I’ll be teaching everything you need to know about the skills that make us a functional pencil grasp.

You’ll learn what’s going on behind the inefficient and just plain terrible pencil grasps you see everyday in the classroom, clinic, or home. Along with loads of information, you’ll gain quick, daily activities that you can do today with a kiddo you know and love.

These are easy activities that use items you probably already have in your home right now.

Pencil grasp challenge activities to help pencil grasp problems

Besides learning and gaining a handful (pun intended) of fun ideas to make quick wins in pencil grasp work, you’ll gain free printable handouts that you can use to share with your team or with a parent/fellow teacher.

You’ll get access to printable challenge sheets, and a few other fun surprises. And, possibly the best of all, you’ll get access to a secret challengers Facebook group, where you can share wins, chat about all things pencil grasp, and join a community of other therapists, parents and teachers working on pencil grasp issues. This is going to be fun!

Pencil grasp challenge and activities for a better pencil grasp

If you haven’t already, be sure to sign up now, because we’re gearing up for a fun week in the pencil grasp Facebook group.

Use these pencil grasp activities to  help build the fine motor skills kids need for handwritng

More about the challenge

This challenge has been a yearly challenge for the last three years.

The Pencil Grasp Challenge started because on The OT Toolbox, we have had many questions on handwriting and pencil grasp. Parents, teachers, and therapists have questions on concepts such as:

  • How do I fix pencil grasp?
  • What is an appropriate pencil grasp?
  • How does pencil grasp develop?
  • What is a functional pencil grasp?
  • How does pencil grasp impact handwriting?
  • I need handwriting help! Where do I begin?
  • When is it developmentally appropriate to work on pencil grasp?
  • My child/student has a terrible pencil grasp! What do I do?

As a result, I have A LOT of handwriting and fine motor activities here on The OT Toolbox website. A lot of those activities are perfect for developing a functional and efficient pencil grasp. The Pencil Grasp Challenge started as I had an idea to create a challenge of fine motor activities to boost the skills kids need for strong and efficient hands, so they can hold and manipulate a pencil without difficulty. I started using #pencilgraspchallenge hashtag on my Instagram posts for those activities, with the intention to start this challenge with all of you.

In fact, go ahead and check out #pencilgraspchallenge on Instagram…you’ll find loads of fun fine motor activities designed specifically to build the skills needed for a better pencil grasp.

Join the pencil grasp challenge series to build fine motor skills in kids

Enter the Pencil Grasp Challenge!

Get ready because The Pencil Grasp Challenge is making a comeback, and this year, it’s bigger and better than ever! Over the years, we’ve offered a free email challenge, but this time, we’ve taken it to the next level.

We’ve ramped up the lessons, added essential observation and data collection tools, and included not one but TWO incredible resources—the Pencil Grasp Bundle and the Pencil Grasp Play Book. Plus, for the first time ever, participants can earn a certificate of completion for 1.2 contact hours, making this challenge a must-have for professionals looking to enhance their skills.

How to Join the Pencil Grasp Challenge

We’re offering three flexible options so you can choose the one that best fits your needs:

1. Best Value: Purchase the Course for Just $25!

If you’re not a member yet, now is the perfect time to grab this exclusive offer. For just $25, you’ll receive:

  • All challenge materials, including the observation & data collection tools,
  • The comprehensive Pencil Grasp Bundle,
  • The Pencil Grasp Play Book,
  • And a certificate of completion for 1.2 contact hours.

👉 Sign up for the full challenge here!

This is an amazing deal considering the valuable resources included!

2. Already a Member? You Get Access!

Good news for our members—this challenge is included in your membership! Simply log into your account and access the course here:

👉 Members: Access your course now.

3. Free Email Course Option

Want to try the challenge without the extras? Join our free email course to participate in the core challenge. While you won’t receive the premium resources (such as the observation tools, play book, or certificate), it’s still a great way to improve fine motor skills.

👉 Join the free challenge below by entering your email address into the form.

Why Join the Pencil Grasp Challenge?

This challenge is fun, actionable, and effective, making it perfect for parents, teachers, and therapists looking to support children’s handwriting development. You’ll be amazed at how quickly fine motor skills improve with these targeted activities.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to take your handwriting skills to the next level. Whether you’re a professional or a parent supporting your child, there’s an option for everyone.

Join today and see the difference for yourself!

Want to join us in helping kids achieve a better, functional pencil grasp that works for them? Enter your email address into the form below. This is the free email version of the course:

Do you know a child with a terrible pencil grasp?

✏️Want to know what exactly is going on behind an awkward or weak pencil grasp?

✏️Want to know how to fix pencil grasps so they are FUNCTIONAL and EFFICENT?

✏️Want fun and actionable activities to build stronger hands so kids can write with ease?

Join the Pencil Grasp Challenge for 5 days of tools and resources!

    Are you interested in resources on (check all that apply):
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    Pencil activities to help kids write with a functional grasp

    Colleen Beck, OTR/L has been an occupational therapist since 2000, working in school-based, hand therapy, outpatient peds, EI, and SNF. Colleen created The OT Toolbox to inspire therapists, teachers, and parents with easy and fun tools to help children thrive. Read her story about going from an OT making $3/hour (after paying for kids’ childcare) to a full-time OT resource creator for millions of readers. Want to collaborate? Send an email to contact@theottoolbox.com.