Pencil Held Between Index And Middle Fingers?

Is your child's pencil held between index and middle fingers? If so, you are probably wondering if this is a bad pencil grip that needs to get fixed! 

Our instinct is often to correct the child and guide them towards a more traditional tripod pencil grasp. However, this interesting pencil grip is far more functional than you realize, and many children, and adults, may benefit from adopting it!

Key Takeaways For Busy Parents:

  • Don't Panic, It's A Functional Grip! This is a known adaptive grip that is also called an "Interdigital Brace" or "Monk's Grasp". It is very effective.
  • It Provides Stability - if your child has low muscle tone, weak hands or hypermobile joints, this grasp provides a more stable base of supoprt for the pencil. 
  • If It's Functional, It's Good - if the pencil grip enables your child to write legibly, for a reasonable amount of time without tiring, and they are not uncomfortable, then it is probably a helpful grip. 
  • Adults Use It Too - many adults have adopted this pencil grip to reduce pain and discomfort - especially after a hand injury or when struggling with arthritis or tremors
Image of a monk's grasp, interdigital brace, D"Nealian grasp

The Many Names Of This Interesting Grip!

Holding a pencil between the index and middle fingers is also known as an Interdigital Brace Grasp, or an Interdigital Brace.

This is because the pencil is supported ("braced") between the fingers (the "digits"). The tips of the fingers then come together to control the pencil, in much the same way as they do in a regular tripod pencil grasp. 

It is also known as the Monk's Grasp, or the D'Nealian Pencil Grasp.

adapted tripod pencil grip, also known as the monks' graspThe Monk's Grasp

Occupational and physical therapists consider it to be an "adaptive" pencil grip, as it is an adaptation of the regular grip, to enable someone to write with less difficulty. It is known in those circles as the adapted tripod grip, or the adaptive tripod grip.

Fun fact: Taylor Swift holds her pen this way! Will it be called the Taylor Swift Grip? Who knows!

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Why Do Some Children Use This Grasp?

Holding the pencil between two fingers creates a wider and more stable base of support. This extra stability makes it easier for the child to control the pencil for writing.

  • If a child has weak hand muscles, low muscle tone (hypotonia) or hypermobile finger joints, they may find this grip to be more comfortable. 
  • If a child has an essential tremor or dystona, using the interdigital brace helps them control the pencil.
  • If the child has a hand injury, holding the pencil this way can help them get back into writing more easily.

Children who have naturally chosen this grip fer themselves, are doing so because it enables them to write more efficiently and comfortably. 

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Do We Need To Correct This Pencil Grasp?

The simple answer is no.

This is NOT a "wrong" or "poor"  or dysfunctional pencil grip. On the contrary, it is a highly functional adaptation that allows a child to write more effectively than they otherwise could.

We want a child's pencil grip to be functional, and these are the questions we would ask to figure out if this grip is functional or not:

  • Is the child’s handwriting legible?
  • Are they comfortable writing for a reasonable amount of time without their hand getting tired or sore?
  • Can they see what they are writing? 

If the answer to these questions is yes, the grip is working.

adaptive tripod grip Don't correct this grasp!

In fact, the interdigital brace grip is a much better option than wrapping their thumb over their fingers or holding the pencil in a tight fist. Those are the less functional grips that children with low muscle tone tend to develop, which can lead to pain, fatigue, and messy writing.

Forcing a child to stop holding the pencil between the index and middle fingers can cause discomfort, fatigue, frustration and a decline in the quality of their handwriting! 

However, if your child is holding the pencil between the middle and ring fingers, I would advise shifting to between the index and middle fingers. When the pen is between the index and middle fingers, it is still a tripod grip, albeit an adapted one.

But when the pen is between the middle and ring fingers, then the ulnar stability of the hand is compromised, and more strain is put on the joints and knuckles. 

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Adults Can Hold The Pen Between Index And Middle Fingers, Too!

This pencil grip isn't just for children with poor fine motor skills. Many adults have discovered and adopted this grip for its comfort and endurance.

Some of the comments that I have received on my website from teenagers and adults regarding the Monk's grasp include:

  • It reduces hand cramping and fatigue when taking notes or writing exams.
  • For arthritis sufferers, having the pencil held between index and middle fingers makes writing less painful, as it distributes pressure more evenly across the joints. 
  • Adults who develop a tremor find this grip more stable.
  • Adults who have suffered a hand injury can use this grip to get their function back.

One parent who already had excellent handwriting, wrote to me to say they might switch to it permanently after trying it, simply because it felt easier!

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How To Support Your Child

  • If your child is holding the pencil between the index and middle fingers, evaluate if this grip is working well for them. If it enables them to write neatly and comfortably, that is fantastic!

  • Let your child's teachers know that they don't have to worry about "fixing" this grip - it is functional, adaptive, and is helping your child to write effectively. Sharing this article with them can help prevent misunderstandings. 
  • Try alternative writing tools like the Penagain#Ad, which are ergonomically designed to reduce strain on the hands. 

    Penagain pens are popular with teens and adults, while the smaller Twist'nWrite#Ad versions are ideal for children. 
child using TwistnWrite Penagain for adaptive pencil grip and comfort in writingUsing Penagain's Twist 'n Write


If you are in any way concerned that the use of this adaptive pencil grasp is masking underlying issues, please reach out to an occupational therapist for help.

If your child is struggling to recover from a hand injury or has other challenges, a therapist can help with supportive exercises and other aids. 

Ultimately, the best pencil grip is the one that enables your child to write comfortably and legibly.

I hope you have discovered that having the pencil held between index and middle fingers is not a mistake, but a resourceful and functional grip.

Thanks for visiting!

Please do share this page with anyone you think will benefit from this information!

monks grasp, interdigital brace, adaptive pencil grip - where the pencil is held between the index and middle fingers!

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Is Your Child's Pencil Held Between Index And Middle Fingers?
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