Following from another thread- I am worried for dd starting school in Sept

[MillionDollarBaby]

I didn't want to sidetrack the cursive writing thread so thought I ought to start my own..

I am really very worried about dd starting school in September she will have only turned 4 in the summer. She can't hold a pencil properly and still changes between right and left. She is nowhere near able to write her name, let alone do spellings and writing..

Two questions
what can I do to help prepare her?
and
do you think she will be awfully behind the others in her reception class?

TIA

[singersgirl]

Don't know about the left and right, as both my boys have always shown strong right hand preference, but all the other stuff sounds well within normal for a new reception child.

My DS could hardly write his name when he started; his writing has come on amazingly. Lots of children don't know letters and have poor fine motor skills, and an awful lot of time in reception is spent teaching them/improving them. They do lots of cutting, sticking, Play-Doh, threading, painting, sand and water play etc as well as pencil skills.

Don't worry too much. September is still a long way off and children develop enormously in 6 months.

[sandyballs]

Try not to worry. My twin DDs are in reception and there seems to be a massive difference between them all regarding what they can and cannot achieve at this age/stage. Some still cannot hold a pencil, others are writing sentences. Some can barely recognise letters, some can read fluently. They all find their pace and get there eventually.

I think you should concentrate more on using the loo by herself and getting dressed/undressed as much as she can, rather than the read/writing asepct of it all.

Try not to stress, your DD will change an awful lot by September. I remember posting on here that my DDs wouldn't/couldn't wipe their bottoms, and I was very concerned how they would get on at school.

[WigWamBam]

I don't think she'll be behind the others, certainly not if my dd's Reception class is anything to go by! They vary hugely in ability to write - when they started, some could barely hold a pencil, whilst others could write their name. They have been there since September, and it still varies hugely - some are writing as if they've been doing it for years, others are just about managing to form letters. All have made progress, but at this age (certainly in dd's school) it's all about learning to control a pencil, not about being brilliant at cursive writing.

There are loads of practice books you can get if you wanted to use those to prepare her; if the school has a particular reading and writing scheme it might be worth getting some of the resourses that go with that scheme. But don't push it - let her have a go if she wants to but try not to let either of you get stressed out about whether she'll be behind the others or not.

[amynnixmum]

I agree that you shouldn't worry too much but if you want to help her there are lots of books designed to help preschoolers with pre-writing skills. In fact I have some handouts that my mum( a schoolteacher and senco) gave me to help ds with his writing last year. CAT me if you'd like a copy of some. They're very simple - just following wiggly lines and zig zags to start with. Don't worry about wich hand she chooses to use - if she's going to have a preference she'll make it when she's ready.

[LIZS]

Fine motor activites will help - puzzles, threading beads/necklaces, cutting and sticking, playdoh, stickers etc. Also encouraging drawing and colouring with things like dot to dots and mazes, tracing the wiggly lines and patterns rather than actual letter formation (some printables \link{http://penmanship.donnayoung.org/
\here}).

Pencil work is an acquired skill and they will work on it when she starts, using a special grip to help her get her fingers correctly placed if needs be, so try not to worry, she really won't be alone. Also if she turns out to be left handed or doesn't have an established dominance yet, it will take a little longer. dd is the youngest in her Reception class by 2 months (she had only just turned 4) and is left handed and is so excited as she can now do "S" the right way round more consistently !

hth

[SuperTramp]

My DS starts reception class in September as well. He was 4 in January and is nowhere near doing any of the things you mention either. Don't worry about it, 6 months is a long time when you're only 4 so she might be doing it all by the time she goes anyway.

[MillionDollarBaby]

I forget 6mths is a long time for children their age.. 6 months doesn't seem very long at all to me as the time seems to be whizzing by.

She can do the 'independant' things like get herself dressed/undressed etc just can't wipe her bottom but is scared of poo (long story) so I think that'll just take time.

I think I worry more because lots of the children in her nursery class can already write their names etc. dd isn't very coordinated gernerally and has poor motor skills - can't use scissors, is clumsy when running, can't really dance etc I'm sure she'll get there in her own time but I do worry.

I try to encourage her to try writing her name when we write cards etc and also numbers if we are counting but she really couldn't care less and would rather just do a series of circles that then get scribbled out.

[SuperTramp]

MBD I've worried myself stupid over every element of DS's development. He was really slow to do everything and I know he's still behind his peers at nursery. Remembering what he couldn't do 6 months ago that he can do now reassures me and keeps a lid on my stress levels.

[Sparklemagic]

milliondollarbaby, your last post made me laugh - my DS does exactly the same 'drawings' - manic circles that he then scribbles out!!!! All mark making on paper descends into scribbling manically, sometimes interspersed with violent pencil-banging on the paper.....

My Ds sounds at exactly the same stage to your DD. I feel the same as you and do worry but am bearing in mind what people say about 6 months being a long time.

His little friend sent him a christmas card with her name written perfectly...my DS is nowhere even close to being able to write one letter. I try to do things with him (we have a jolly phonics workbook with all the zigzag lines and practice for writing, but he gets cross with me if I try and show him the correct grip or where to start his line, really cross - so I think it's going to have to come from the teachers at school I think).

I think they'll be fine.

[lapsedrunner]

I'm beginning to realise that the continental system of not starting formal education until 6 may have its' benfits. DS (3.5) is at a church Kindergarten in one mixed group of 3-6 year olds. They do lots of structured arts & crafts a play but no formal writing or reading until "proper" school at 6.

[MillionDollarBaby]

SparkleMagic - our children sounds exactly the same is your ds 3 also? so reassuring!!!

lol at the cross if you try and help - dd exactly the same!

TBH I've an August baby and looking back never felt that I was behind any of the others in my class so I don't know why I worry that she will be so young! She has the wit to carry her through ...but then that's another concern always the smartarse!

[MillionDollarBaby]

I was an August baby even!