The Development of Appropriate Pencil Grip & Drawing Skills – 1 to 6 Years Old

Year Level: Early Years, Foundation, Year 1 & 2

These milestone and information sheets identify the age-related milestones for hand function, pencil grip (grasp) and drawing skills in children aged 1 to 6 years. They present images of good and NOT good pencil grip and also outline hints for making a good pencil grip easier.

When children first begin to draw using crayons, pencils or brushes they use a dagger grasp. In a natural developmental sequence, they will hold the writing implement in a variety of grasps until they settle on a functional tripod grip for handwriting. The developmental sequence is a result of neurological and physical growth in the child. As we look below at the development of different grasps and drawing skills we can observe that there is a natural progression as the child’s fine motor skills develop. The complexity of the drawing skills increases as the child develops more control over the pencil or crayon in his or her hand.

  • The Development of Appropriate Pencil Grip & Drawing Skills - 1 to 6 Years Old
    Early Years Parent Education Sheets and Downloads – Semester 1

    This booklet outlines key information to be provided to parents, caregivers and the wider community within semester one. Children benefit when home and school work together. To support this, PLD offers an extensive range of parent milestone information sheets and videos. These resources are ideal to be disseminated to parents and the wider community through […]

    This booklet outlines key information to be provided to parents, caregivers and the wider community within semester one. Children benefit when home and school work

  • The Development of Appropriate Pencil Grip & Drawing Skills - 1 to 6 Years Old
    Fine and Gross Motor Developmental Milestones – 4 years old

    This fine and gross motor development milestone poster/sheet for 4 and 5 year old children outlines tips for home and causes for concern.

    Designed by Occupational Therapists this resource promotes awareness of early motor developmental milestones. The sheet outlines: What children be able to do with their body. Tips

  • The Development of Appropriate Pencil Grip & Drawing Skills - 1 to 6 Years Old
    Am I ready to handwrite? A3 Poster

    Am I ready to handwrite is a poster providing solid introduction to the beginning of handwriting

    Ideal for student and teacher reference, this poster is designed to provide explicit instruction on the following: Letter formation and size Letter placement Reminders of

  • The Development of Appropriate Pencil Grip & Drawing Skills - 1 to 6 Years Old
    Developing Cutting Skills Milestones – Ages 2 to 6 Years Old

    A milestone sheet which identifies age based norms for developing cutting skills in children aged 3 to 6 years.

    Over a period of several years, children progress through several steps when learning to cut with scissors. At age 2 – 2½ years… Child is

  • The Development of Appropriate Pencil Grip & Drawing Skills - 1 to 6 Years Old
    PLD’s Alignment to the Australian National Curriculum

    How does PLD align to the Australian National Curriculum?

    In the attached download we have outlined where PLD applies to each year level, the content code and descriptor and the related PLD programs.  

  • PLD’s Alignment with the Early Years Learning Framework
    PLD’s Alignment with the Early Years Learning Framework

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