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Associations between visual-motor integration, pencil grip patterns, and holistic academic performance among school
Naufal Nordin1, Woi Pui Juan1, Nurul Umira Samsudin1
1Optometry and Vision Science Program, Center for Community Health Studies (ReaCH), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Plos One
|June 11, 2026
Summary
Visual-motor integration (VMI) skills are linked to academic success in primary school children, particularly in Science and Mathematics. While raw VMI scores reflect development, standardized scores show an age-independent connection to academic performance.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Educational Psychology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Visual-motor integration (VMI) is crucial for children's classroom tasks and academic readiness.
- This study investigates the relationship between VMI, pencil grip, and academic performance in Malaysian primary school children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the associations between components of VMI, various pencil grip patterns, and overall academic achievement.
- To differentiate the impact of raw VMI scores versus age-adjusted standard scores on academic performance.
Main Methods:
- 148 primary school children in Kuala Lumpur were assessed using the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (Beery-VMI).
- Pencil grip patterns were categorized, and academic performance was evaluated through the Classroom-Based Assessment (CBA) system.
- Statistical analyses explored correlations between VMI measures, grip types, and academic results in core subjects.
Main Results:
- Beery-VMI raw scores correlated significantly with academic performance across all subjects, especially Science and Mathematics.
- Beery-VMI standard scores showed significant associations with Science and Mathematics, indicating an age-independent link.
- The lateral quadrupod pencil grip was associated with higher VMI raw scores, though grip patterns had a limited overall association with VMI outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Visual-motor integration is positively associated with academic mastery, particularly in Science and Mathematics.
- Raw VMI scores may reflect shared developmental factors, while standard scores highlight an age-independent relationship with academic performance.
- Pencil grip patterns demonstrated a limited association with VMI performance, suggesting they are not strong indicators of visual-motor skills.
