Innovation from Pelikan
The griffix® learn-to-write system
Again and again, Pelikan has made history with new, forward-looking ideas, particularly in the field of learning to write.
Now, the old-established brand is once again setting new standards with “Made in Germany” quality, and presents griffix®,
the world’s first comprehensive learn-to-write system.
The unique feature of griffix® writing instruments is their innovative grip, specially designed for children. It has been developed in accordance with the latest findings in the field of graphomotor skills, in collaboration with educational experts and the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering.
The ergonomic grip area with its perfect support for the thumb, index finger and middle finger is based on the optimum writing position, known as the pincer grip. This affords children the greatest degree of freedom of movement and allows them to write accurately and tidily without tiring. The pincer grip can only be properly developed if the writing instrument promotes a correct holding position right from the beginning.
The special feature of this new learn-to-write system is that the design of the grip area is the same on both the simpler writing instruments and those that are more difficult to use, so that the child does not have to adopt a new approach every time it progresses to the next stage in the learning process. The system is available in versions for both right-handed and left-handed learners.
The proper writing instrument for every learning step
The first step in the new system is the wax marker, with which children learn the transition from drawing to writing in a playful way and so are given the best possible preparation for what they will need to do in school. The innovative grip allows children to control the degree of pressure they exert very easily, and they greatly enjoy using the exchangeable leads in different colours to form their first loops.
The second stage, the pencil, allows children to form their first letters in a jiffy, consolidates left- or right-handedness
and affords the best possible preparation for writing with ink. As long as the little “face” on the innovative grip is looking
upwards, a perfect writing position is guaranteed. And the thin lead ensures a particular high degree of accuracy. With the
ink pen, the “little brother” of the fountain pen, the third stage in the new system, children learn to write fluently with
ink.
The ink pen compensates flexibly for the initially stronger pressure of the child’s hand, and so makes writing a lot of fun
without demanding too much of the child. The cartridges are as easy to change as those of a fountain pen.
With the fountain pen, the fourth and highest stage, children are given the right feeling for well-formed handwriting with
pen and ink.
While the unique technology and outstanding quality of the nibs provide for the highest degree of accuracy, the colourful
designs printed on the ink cartridges are simply fun. There are a large number of different versions for boys and girls.
The griffix® writing instruments are available in the cheerful colours blue, magenta, green and purple; and there are 14 different fun buttons to collect and swap.
griffix® learn-to-write exercise books for a perfect learning process
Each of the four griffix® writing instruments is accompanied by a griffix® learn-to-write exercise book. There are numerous exercises to help children practise the movements stemming from the arm, wrist and fingers that are so important in writing. The exercises take account of the improvement in the child’s skills that takes place as it learns to write, and of the characteristics of the various writing instruments used.
In these exercise books, each practice section concludes with a “driving test” in which core exercises are summarised and worked through by the children under the supervision of parents or teachers. The griffix® “driving licence” allows the child’s level of achievement to be monitored, and is at the same time a motivating factor.
The wax marker can be bought for around €6, the pencil and ink pen for around €9 each and the fountain pen for around €14. The exercise books cost from around €2.
Pelikan is ensuring a strong impact at the point of sale by means of a 160 cm high display unit. This has room for all four griffix® writing instruments, the corresponding refills and the colourful fun buttons. In addition, there is a mini-display holding 22 writing instruments and a floor display for 66 griffix® writing instruments. For special occasions, the griffix® series is also available as a gift set in blue or magenta, with all four writing instruments including refills for approx. €35.
The griffix® learn-to-write system will be available in the shops as from March 2008.
