3. Holding the pencil and placing the paper

The lesson, step by step

1. Warm up

   Sit in the writing position from Lessons 1 to 3. Without the pencil, run the "writing machine" for a minute: fingers closed, forearm resting, the wrist sliding forward and back inside the sleeve. Then hold the pencil and do the same with the point just above the paper.

2. Look at the hand pictures

   Turn to "Hand, finger, and penholder studies" (two pages after Lesson 3). In picture 22 the fingers bend naturally, as when the hand is resting. The book describes the hold:

   The first finger bends naturally, and rests on top of the holder about one inch from the point of the pen; the thumb rests on the holder nearly opposite the first joint of the first finger, and the third and fourth fingers are bent, touching the paper and forming a movable rest.

3. Slip the pencil in

   Your child takes the position, lets the right hand rest naturally, then slips the pencil into it with the left hand. The top of the pencil points between the elbow and the shoulder, not at the shoulder. Run the writing machine with the pencil held just above the paper.

4. Place the paper

   Look at diagrams 26 and 27 on the next page. Tilt the paper so that a stroke pulled toward the middle of the body comes out slanting the way the book's writing slants. The right forearm crosses the bottom edge of the paper a little right of center.

   Always use the left hand to move the paper.

5. Watch for pinching

   The book asks three questions:

   Are you comfortable in your seat; do your arms feel comfortable; and are you holding the penholder lightly in the hand without pinching it?

   White fingertips or a dent in the finger mean the grip is too tight.

6. Gentle check

   While your child holds the pencil, try to slide it gently out of their hand. It should come out easily. Then let your child write their name slowly with the light hold, and say what you liked about it.