Proper way to hold scissors and pencils?

[ZacsMom]

I'm in need of ideas for how to teach my 3 1/2 year old son the proper way to hold a pair of scissors or pencils/crayons. 

He loves to cut things with scissors but can't get the hang of the proper way to hold them.  I've been trying to teach him but he insists on holding them with 2 hands instead of one.  Is it something that will just come with time and more practice?  

We're having similar issues with pencils/crayons.  He wants to hold them up high, in his fist instead of with his fingertips.  We started the Letter of the Week curriculum this week but since he already knows all of his letters by sight, we thought we would move on to writing them. It seems like it's too difficult for him to write when he holds the pencils/crayons this way. Is he too young for me to expect him to be able to begin writing or is it a "practice makes perfect" type of thing? 

Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciate!  Thanks!    

[GRITSrule]

I am very interested in any help you get. I am having the same trouble with my DD. You are not alone in your bewilderment/frustration. I am assuming that it just comes with practice though?

[LoreleiSieja]

Of course all children are on their own "time clock".  We can say "all three year olds can hold a pencil" because some can't.  Some children learn how to hold a pencil correctly at two, some kindergartners still can't do it.  But, that said, you can continue to teach him the correct way to hold pencils, crayons, and scissors.  Here are some suggestions:

Try larger crayons, or triangular shaped crayons.  Try large, thick, kindergarten pencils.

Get childrens scissors.  Some of them are shaped better to make it easier to hold them correctly.  Allow lots of cutting practice.  In one day care where I worked, we had a little kids splash pool filled with bits of paper.  A child could sit IN the pool and cut to his heart's content.  All the scraps stayed in the pool.  Don't expect him to cut on a line, or cut out a shape.  Just let him cut paper to bits.  Cut up unused advertizements from the sunday paper.  Cut grocery bags.  Later, you can draw thick thick lines on scrap paper with a permanent marker for him to try cutting on.

Encourage lots of activities that help devolop the "small muscles" in the hands.  Like duplos or legos, lacing cards, playdough, puzzles - any toy with small pieces that need to be manipulated. 

Be patient and persistant.  He can do it!  Eventually.