Holding the Violin Bow

Figure 1

I've been a violin teacher for over 15 years and have learned many things that work and other things that don't work for teaching students. One thing that is often taught wrong at the beginning is the bow grip. Teachers think that it is easier for the very young students, younger than 8 or 9, to place their thumb outside of the bow on the flat part of the frog. The orange arrow, in figure one, shows where the thumb would be placed.

Figure 2

My question is why teach something incorrect and have to reteach it later? Younger kids, even the really little, can handle placing their thumb inside the frog. See the orange arrow in figure 2. 

If you'd like detailed instruction on how to properly hold the bow, check out this link to Itzhak Perlman's youtube video by clicking here.