Three year old and fine motor skills (coloring)?

Question

My son will be four in July and I'm having difficulty getting his writing skills where they should be for his age. (Yes, I'm comparing his skills to the other kids in his pre-school class and I can tell his are not even close. I know I shouldn't compare. :) But I don't want him to be behind.)

First, he has very little interest in coloring or drawing. When I get out the crayons and paper, I'm very lucky if he makes any marks on the paper. Second, he still holds the writing utensil with his whole hand. If I try to help him hold it properly, he will give up completely so I normally don't correct him on it. I just consider myself lucky that he's coloring at all.

I think he gets frustrated that he doesn't have the control over the crayon that he would like and I think if he would hold it right, he could do much better. I know that practice is the best thing for him but he just doesn't find coloring fun at all. He will stay interested in painting or glue sticks and glitter for a little longer so we do that.

He can do other fine motor skills pretty well--screws, nuts, bolts, screw drivers, pick up tiny objects, etc.

So what I'm wondering...Are there activities *besides* actually writing or coloring that will help him with the pencil grasp? Are there products that will help? I've seen crayons in the shape of a triangle. Would that be good? I've also seen pens that are shaped like a Y and the top is supposed to go around your index finger, but I haven't seen them in kids' sizes.

I would really like to see him catch up and I think he would be thrilled to be able to write/draw what he wants to. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Answer 1

My son is 10 and had the same problem. He hated anything to do with art and still does. He is just not into coloring or painting. And his handwriting was terrible up until 3rd grade. They do make grips to teach you how to properly hold your pencil and they helped somewhat. I have a friend that is an occupational therapist that recommended breaking crayons because children are able to color better and have more control when the crayon is smaller and will develop the proper grip in order to compenstae for the length of the crayon. The Y shaped pens can be used by children as well. I used to worry about his handwriting until his 1st grade teacher reminded me that Albert Einstein had terrible handwriting. My son is a great story teller but has no interest in writing the stories out or drawing them.

Answer 2

Don't push him too much or I feel he will learn to resent the activity. Give it as an option as much as you can but you can do other fine motor skills like you discussed with playing with small objects. He may just not be interested as party of his personality. I have heard of kids coming into kindergarten who cannot hold a pencil properly and then you will have those who can write full words and read. They will all catch up even as some excel in one area and others elsewhere. Some jump on fine motor skills first to master them and others gross motor.



You were right to say, don't compare. Stop and look at all the ways your child is doing well in other things. I understand wanting him to excel. Maybe color or write in front of him casually while he plays blocks or something. He will see you enjoying it and form a more positive feeling for it.



I did find this on another site from a doctor as a response to a very similar question:



"I need to reassure you right off the bat that this doesn't mean that your son is delayed in his development.



True, many four year olds can already write their names and some can even read, but such achievements are not expected of a child who is not even four.



The coloring is also not expected to be particularly good at your son's age (i.e. between the lines) and many three-year-olds would prefer to spend their time working on their gross motor skills through activities like riding a tricycle or climbing.



A child of almost four should be able to answer most of the following questions:





What is the color of grass?



Where does a fish live?



A refrigerator is cold, a stove is _______.



I wake-up in the morning, I go to bed at _______.



He should be able to repeat four digits spoken to him and to follow a command with three separate parts.



He should copy a square, catch a big ball and draw a person with about six body parts.

If your son can perform these tasks, he is most likely on target with his development."



Update:

Okay, I am just curious after reading a post after mine... you said he gets frustrated because he can't hold his pencil or crayon with control... could he control it better in his left hand? Just curious thought. It doesn't change any of my response above but I have heard of left handed people being frustrated as kids because people always showed them how to do things with their right hand and they couldn't do it as well. A thought....

Answer 3

3 Year Old Coloring Skills

Answer 4

My son.. now grown..

had horrible problems in school.. I had him tested.. thru several different organization at a early age..

I knew as a MOM.. something was wrong.. by age 1

he had little motor skills in crawling etc..



So, around age 4 or 5 he was tested by a Professional ... Child Study Center in my home town.. it was Free.. I was a single mother..

I went several months later, which u had to have a Sponsor the the Scottish Right Foundation.. and it was Free..



I found out he was definitely gonna be left handed along w/

he had dyslexia.. it was heart breaking..

But it can be helped and corrected.... it took Lots and lots of Patience's.

I suggest the same to you.. go get help from government agency in your home town.. ask around.. ask the school to do a evaluation on him.. it is in the best interest of your child to know early on..



Ur child could just have a short attention span.. ?? or just needs help in some areas..

this way you can stop ur worrying.. I did for years and years..



Take care and Good luck..

Answer 5

show him shapes and colors and show him ho u hold a pencil