Best Pencils for Kindergarten: What Teachers Need to Know Before Buying

Walk into any classroom supply aisle, and you’ll quickly discover there are dozens of different pencil types. There are fat pencils, regular pencils, triangular pencils, mechanical pencils, colorful novelty pencils, golf pencils, and everything in between. It can be overwhelming to decide which ones belong on your school supplies list. I remember the excitement of buying your own special pencil and how fun it was to venture over to the pencil sharpener! Ha!  As kindergarten teachers, we know that choosing classroom materials isn’t just about what’s easiest to order. Every tool we place in our students’ small hands can either support or challenge their development. When it comes to learning to write, the right pencil truly matters.

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Many teachers ask whether beginners should start with thicker pencils, shorter pencils, or standard-sized pencils. Others wonder if there is actual research supporting one option over another.

The good news is that there is. Research from occupational therapists, early childhood specialists, and handwriting experts continues to show that selecting developmentally appropriate writing tools can encourage a more natural pencil grip, improve fine motor control, and help children develop confidence as writers. While no single pencil magically teaches handwriting, choosing pencils designed for young children gives them a much better opportunity to experience early success.

Why Pencil Choice Matters More Than You Think

Every kindergarten teacher has watched a student struggle with writing. Some squeeze the pencil with too much pressure until their hand becomes tired. Others hold it with awkward finger positions that make forming letters incredibly difficult. Some simply become frustrated because writing feels uncomfortable. These challenges often have very little to do with intelligence. Instead, they are usually connected to developing fine motor skills, hand strength, and coordination.

During the 2024-2025 school year, many teachers continued noticing the effects of pandemic learning losses. Students entered kindergarten with varying experiences using crayons, scissors, play dough, and other tools that strengthen little muscles. Today’s kindergarten students often arrive with a wider range of readiness than ever before. Some have spent hours coloring in coloring books, stringing beads, building with blocks, or creating art with paint tools. Others have had fewer opportunities to develop these essential pre-writing skills. This is one reason why many schools now pay close attention during literacy screenings, reading assessments, and even the state kindergarten readiness assessment.

Strong writing skills develop alongside growing children’s literacy skills, and both depend on a solid foundation of early learning experiences. Research has shown that students with stronger early literacy skills are more likely to experience success in later grades, while those who begin behind may continue to face challenges with lower reading ability and lower performance scores as academic demands increase.

Organizations focused on improving childhood literacy rates, including the Children’s Reading Foundation, continue to emphasize that early experiences with books, language, and fine motor development all work together to support successful readers.

The Best Pencil Is Only Part of the Equation

One of the biggest misconceptions is believing that buying the “perfect” pencil instantly solves handwriting struggles.

In reality, pencils are simply one piece of the puzzle.

Children also need opportunities to build:

• hand strength
• finger isolation
• bilateral coordination
• proper grip
• wrist stability
• visual motor integration

That’s why many occupational therapists recommend combining appropriate writing tools with playful fine motor activities long before expecting neat handwriting. Giving children the right pencil while also strengthening their little fingers creates a winning combination.

Why We Recommend My First Ticonderoga Pencils

If I could recommend one brand for beginning writers, it would be My First Ticonderoga pencils. These pencils were specifically designed for beginning writers instead of simply making a regular pencil a little shorter. Their larger barrel fits comfortably into small hands, making it easier for many children to establish a natural proper grip. The larger diameter also encourages better control without requiring children to squeeze the pencil as tightly.

Another feature teachers love is the softer graphite. The soft lead allows students to make darker marks without pressing with excessive force, helping reduce hand fatigue during writing practice. Unlike many novelty brands, My First Ticonderoga pencils sharpen well, erase cleanly, and hold up to daily classroom use. They’re one of those classroom purchases that quickly become a teacher favorite.

My Favorite Option: Short Individual Pack of My First Ticonderoga Pencils

For many beginning writers, I actually prefer starting with the short individual pack. A shorter pencil naturally encourages children to use the smaller muscles in their hands instead of relying on their whole arm for movement. Many teachers notice that shorter pencils provide better control for little hands, especially during the first months of kindergarten. These shorter pencils are also less intimidating for hesitant writers and fit easily into supply boxes. Of course, every teacher knows that Ticonderoga are the gold standard when it comes to pencils!

If you’re purchasing supplies for home or working with just one child, this is a great first choice.

Individual Pack of My First Ticonderoga Pencils

If your students are beginning to gain confidence, the standard My First Ticonderoga individual pack is another excellent option. These pencils maintain the larger barrel designed for beginning writers while giving children a little more length as their writing endurance improves. Many teachers transition to these pencils after students have developed stronger hand muscles through daily fine motor practice.

Classroom Pack of My First Ticonderoga Pencils

Need enough pencils for an entire class? The classroom pack is a fantastic investment. Having matching pencils throughout your classroom makes it easier to teach expectations, replace lost pencils, and ensure every child is using developmentally appropriate writing tools. Instead of students bringing random lead pencils from home, everyone begins with the same high-quality pencil designed specifically for beginning writers. This consistency helps eliminate one more variable while teaching handwriting.

When It’s Time to Move to Intermediate Ticonderoga Pencils

As the course of a year progresses, you’ll probably notice many of your students becoming more confident writers. Their hand strength improves, letter formation becomes more automatic, and they rely less on their whole arm when writing. That’s often the perfect time to transition to Intermediate Ticonderoga pencils. These pencils bridge the gap between the larger My First pencils and traditional regular pencils. They still provide extra comfort for developing writers while introducing children to a pencil that feels more like what they’ll eventually use in first grade and beyond. Many teachers begin making this transition during the second half of kindergarten or even save them for the end of the year so students are ready for next year.

If you’re looking for an easy progression, these are an excellent choice.

Are Golf Pencils Good for Kindergarten?

One of the most common questions I hear is: “Should I use golf pencils?”

The answer is…sometimes.

Golf pencils can actually be incredibly useful because their shorter length naturally encourages children to use the muscles in their hands instead of moving from the shoulder. Unlike oversized novelty pencils, these standard-width golf pencils promote efficient finger movements while still being easier for many children to control than extra long pencils. The classroom bulk pack of golf pencils from Ticonderoga are typically low priced and a great deal.

I especially like using golf pencils for:

• literacy centers
• morning work
• quick writing activities
• intervention groups
• writing folders
• assessment days

They’re inexpensive enough that you don’t have to worry if one disappears, and students love having their own pencils waiting at each center.

When Standard Pencils Make Sense

Eventually, every child will transition to traditional graphite pencil designs. 

A quality set of pencils becomes the best option once students consistently demonstrate:

• a comfortable tripod grasp
• improved handwriting endurance
• stronger fine motor control
• better letter formation

At that point, high-quality standard pencils are exactly what most children need. I continue recommending Ticonderoga because of their durability, smooth writing experience, and consistent quality. They’ve remained one of teachers’ best sellers for years for good reason.

What About Fat Pencils?

Many people automatically assume fat pencils are always the best choice for beginning writers. Interestingly, current recommendations from many occupational therapists suggest that it’s less about making the pencil extremely thick and more about matching the writing tool to the child’s developmental needs. An oversized pencil isn’t automatically better.

For many students, appropriately designed beginner pencils like My First Ticonderoga provide just enough thickness to encourage a comfortable grasp without making writing awkward. Some children may even benefit from a triangular shape or triangle shape that naturally encourages finger placement. The key is observing the child instead of simply following trends.

Pencils That Usually Aren’t the Best First Choice

Parents often ask me about other writing tools they already have at home. While there will certainly come a day for these, I usually don’t recommend starting kindergarten with:

• mechanical pencils
• fountain pen
• novelty pencils
• extremely decorative pencils
• very hard graphite

Mechanical pencils require more precision than many beginning writers have developed. Likewise, fountain pens are wonderful writing tools later on, but they’re not designed for children who are just learning letter formation. Even colored pencils, while fantastic for artwork and encouraging young artists, shouldn’t replace graphite pencils during formal handwriting instruction because they provide different feedback on paper.

That doesn’t mean colored pencils don’t belong in kindergarten… they absolutely do! They’re wonderful for creative projects, labeling diagrams, illustrating stories, and strengthening fine motor muscles through coloring. Think of them as important art supplies, while graphite pencils remain the primary tool for handwriting practice.

Don’t Forget the Pencil Sharpener

Have you ever purchased wonderful pencils only to have a poor sharpener ruin every one of them? Unfortunately, this happens all the time. The larger beginner pencils require a sharpener designed specifically for bigger barrels. Using the wrong sharpener can waste pencils, create constant frustration, and interrupt valuable instructional time.

If you’re using My First Ticonderoga pencils, I highly recommend investing in this sharpener made for larger beginner pencils.

I also wrote an entire post sharing my favorite classroom sharpeners and why choosing the right one can save both time and money throughout the school year.

If you want to see the roundup of my favorite pencil sharpeners, head to this blog post!

Best Pencil Sharpeners for the Classroom:
https://pencilstopigtails.com/best-pencil-sharpener-for-the-classroom/

Why Research Matters

It’s amazing how much thought goes into choosing something as simple as a pencil. Researchers studying childhood development, handwriting, and early learning continue to examine how writing tools affect children’s success. Schools across the country including districts like Columbus City Schools continue looking at student readiness through literacy screenings, reading assessments, and the state kindergarten readiness assessment.

Healthcare providers, including organizations such as Nationwide Children’s Hospital, also emphasize the importance of developing fine motor skills during early childhood. Whether children strengthen these skills during preschool, local YMCA programs, pediatrician visits, primary care visits, or structured classroom instruction, giving them opportunities to build hand strength pays off throughout elementary school.

As educators, we also recognize that today’s students are entering school with different experiences than children did a decade ago. Research continues to explore how pandemic learning losses, high-needs populations, and changing childhood experiences may influence readiness. Some reports suggest about half of incoming students may need additional support in one or more developmental areas, making intentional instruction even more important. While a pencil alone won’t change children’s literacy skills, pairing the right writing tools with meaningful fine motor practice gives children one more advantage as they prepare for reading and writing success. 

​When I first started teaching, this wasn’t something I put a lot of thought into. However, it’s so important that we spend time helping our young students develop

Build Strong Writers Before They Ever Pick Up a Pencil

While choosing the best pencil is important, I’ve learned over the years that it’s only one part of helping children become confident writers. Before we expect kindergarten students to write sentences, form letters correctly, or complete independent writing activities, we have to build the muscles that make those tasks possible. That’s where fine motor practice comes in.

Simple, playful activities strengthen the tiny muscles in children’s hands, wrists, and fingers so writing feels easier and not frustrating. Instead of focusing only on handwriting worksheets, I love giving students opportunities to develop hand strength through engaging centers and games.

Some classroom favorites include:

• Tweezing pom poms into sorting trays
• Building with small manipulatives
• Rolling and pinching play dough
• Cutting with scissors
• Lacing cards
• Pattern blocks
• Peg boards
• Bead threading
• Sticker activities
• Hole punching
• Clothespin games

These activities may look like play, but they’re actually building the foundation children need for successful handwriting. It’s a great way to prepare little hands long before formal writing instruction begins.

My Favorite Fine Motor Resource

If you’re looking for one resource that supports fine motor development all year long, I can’t recommend our Fine Motor Bundle enough. I created this bundle with Deedee Wills after years of teaching kindergarten and seeing firsthand how much children benefit from consistent, meaningful fine motor practice. Instead of scrambling to create centers every week, you’ll have more than 1,800 themed task cards and printables ready to go.

The activities are engaging, easy to prep, and designed specifically for young learners who are developing:

• fine motor skills
• fine motor control
• hand strength
• bilateral coordination
• visual motor skills
• pencil control

Whether you’re working with an entire class, small groups, intervention students, or sending activities home, there’s something for every season and every stage of development. One of my favorite things about the bundle is that it grows with your students. You can begin using many of the activities at the start of kindergarten and continue incorporating them throughout the year as students become stronger writers.

Grab the Fine Motor Bundle here:

Want to Try Some Free Fine Motor Activities?

If you’d like to see how these activities work before purchasing the bundle, I also have a blog post filled with ideas and free resources. You’ll find classroom tips, activity ideas, and free fine motor printables that are perfect for kindergarten, preschool, and first grade.

Read more here:

Best Fine Motor Activities PDF + Free Worksheets for Little Hands

It’s a wonderful place to start if you’re building a fine motor routine for your classroom.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Pencils for Kindergarten

Should kindergarten students use long pencils?

Not usually at the beginning of the year. Many teachers find that shorter beginner pencils encourage better finger movement and improve control because children aren’t trying to manage unnecessary length.

Are triangular pencils better?

Some children benefit from triangular pencils because the design naturally encourages finger placement. Others do just as well with round beginner pencils like My First Ticonderoga. The best choice depends on the individual child.

Are golf pencils only for testing?

Not at all. While they’re often used during assessments, golf pencils are also fantastic for literacy centers, writing stations, intervention groups, and independent practice.

Should parents buy mechanical pencils?

I’d wait. Traditional graphite pencils provide better feedback for beginning writers and are much easier for young children to manage. Mechanical pencils can become a distraction when students are still mastering basic handwriting.

Do bigger pencils automatically improve handwriting?

Not necessarily. The goal isn’t simply using the biggest pencil available. Instead, choose developmentally appropriate pencils while giving children daily opportunities to strengthen the muscles needed for writing.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the best pencils for kindergarten isn’t about finding the trendiest classroom supply. It’s about giving children tools that match their developmental needs. For many beginning writers, My First Ticonderoga pencils are an excellent place to start because they’re designed specifically for little learners. As students gain strength and confidence, transitioning to intermediate pencils and eventually standard pencils becomes a natural progression.

But remember… The pencil is only one part of the equation. Children also need daily opportunities to build hand strength, coordination, and confidence through purposeful fine motor activities. When we combine developmentally appropriate writing tools with engaging fine motor practice, we’re setting our students up for success—not just in handwriting, but throughout their entire literacy journey. That’s one of the best investments we can make for our youngest learners.

Quick Shopping Guide

Best Overall for Beginning Writers

• Short Individual Pack of My First Ticonderoga

Best for Home Practice

• Individual Pack of My First Ticonderoga

Best Classroom Value

• Classroom Pack of My First Ticonderoga

Best Next Step

• Intermediate Ticonderoga Pencils

Best Center Pencil

• Golf Pencils

Best Traditional Pencil

• Standard Ticonderoga Pencils

Best Sharpener

• My First Sharpener designed for larger beginner pencils

If you’re preparing your kindergarten classroom, remember that the best writing instruction starts long before children write their first sentence. Choose developmentally appropriate pencils, give students daily opportunities to strengthen their little hands, and make fine motor practice a consistent part of your routine. 

If you’d like an entire year of ready-to-use fine motor centers, be sure to check out our Fine Motor Activities Bundle created with Deedee Wills. It’s one of the best ways to help students build the strength and confidence they need to become successful writers.

Happy Teaching and Parenting this week, friends!