Had parents evening yesterday could do with an OPINION???

[drosophila]

DS is 7. His teacher thinks he is doing well. She thinks he is a very bright boy (I am inclined to agree ). She is expecting him to get grade 3 in his SATS at most things except for writing.

His writing honestly has hardly improved since reception. I can hardly make it out. Teacher says it is nothing to worry about as he is so good at other things but admitted other teachers were taken aback at how bad it is. On the plus side the same teachers could not believe his creative side and his use of language. She does not want to nag him too much cos she think this will stiffle him and he may stop the wrting he is doing.

On the one hand I am more than delighted at his progress but his writting does worry me. Thing is he is the kind of kid who reads a lot or watches TV or talks an awful lot and is in no way inclied to use his hands. Should I worry?

[BuffysMum]

I would ask them to do make his target improving his handwriting and perhaps give him handwriting practice?

[Jimjams2]

DS2 is a bit like this. I'm inclined to leave him. Both dh and I are cack handed (dh had to dictate a lot of his finals to the college secretary as the examiners couldn't read his written scripts. It took days!)

[Ladymuck]

Is it holding him up in any way? Ds1 is similar, and he is now getting penalised for poor writing in spelling tests. Does your ds see it as a problem or does he not mind/notice?

[DrumMum]

I'd also try to encourage him to do things like lego or playdough or anything fiddly to strengthen his hand muscles and improve his fine motor skills. Whats his pencil grip like? You could get some chuncky trianular pencils to position his fingers if thats a problem...
I wouldn't worry too much, but I would review with the teacher again it in about 3/4 months time to see if there is any improvement
what did she suggest to help him...

[fizzbuzz]

Ds was like this, now in Year 8 has improved dramatically. It really started at secondary school, as they do so much writing.

However, I have read and heard a lot about the following (I am a teacher btw). Massaging his hands for 20 mins-1/2 an hour each night, is meant to bring about dramatic results. I think you have to do it for 6 weeks. It is predominantly a boy thing. Doing this losens up the muscles and tendons and relieves the tight grip on pencil which is what often causes writing probs

[littlemissbossy]

Absolutely not - let's face it, most doctors have terrible handwriting but it didn't stop them being successful did it?

[Jimjams2]

oh thanks for that tip fizzbuzz- I'll try it with ds2- he'll like that.

[sahmtotwo]

We've just had DS1's parent evening and his teacher said exactly the same thing about his writing. She suggested the same things as Drum Mum has.

[Mistymoo]

Just a thought - has he had his eyes tested?

My dh apparently had terrible handwriting when he was at school and his teacher suggested this and his eyesight in one eye especially is terrible.

[Mercy]

Blimey, drosophila - I had exactly the same situation yesterday. dd also was described as being highly creative and above average/superior verbal ability but with poor handwriting skills. And it's very obvious looking at the Christmas cards etc that her friends have written

I was told by her class teacher (who is also the literacry co-ordinator) that a very creative child is often in a hurry to express their ideas, hence the (sometimes) poor handwriting and (sometimes) not very good spelling.

Yes, and that the child's creative ability should not be stifled. I don't know what to think tbh. I suppose I just accept their professional view.
But I cannot understand the numerous stories, letters and cards that she writes

[RosaLuxembourg]

I had this problem with DD1. She is in year 5 now and up to this September her writing lagged years behind the rest of her work - at seven she had a reading age of 12.5 and the handwriting of a reception child. I don't really know how she suddenly (over the summer holiday) improved but these are the things I believe helped.
1 Violin lessons. She started in year three and I think it has really improved her fine motor skills in general.
2 These weird pens I bought her in WH Smith. Can't remember what they are called but they are a very odd shape and are supposed to be more ergonomic than normal pens. She loves them.
Don' know if this is any help but I advise concentrating on fine motor skills in general rather than just handwriting practice.

[Neroli]

I think the weird shaped pens that Rosa is talking about may be the Yoropen.

[Kaloo20]

I have DD and DS with terrible writing too. Last Easter I was recommended to buy ONLY Faber Castell Grip 2201 triangular pencils £4 for 6

Make a big difference

[Kaloo20]

opps Grip 2001
sorry

[drosophila]

We have tried the yoropen and while he likes it, it does no timprove his writing. He is not interested in playdough or lego and quickly quits.

His teacher pointed out that as he will be using computers all his life why fret. A point I guess. My own handwriting improved dramatically with a fountain pen so I will try that when he is older. He leaves NO spaces between his words and according to the teacher does not apply enough force.

He has the strangest grip I have ever seen.

He is very good at maths too which is his fav so I thought his writing would be better there as there is less to do. Not so!!!

I will try the masage. He has long slender fingers.

[QueenEagle]

ds1 and 2 were both appalling at writing. Only now in years 8 and 6 are they doing it much neater and taking care over it.

Some good suggestions on here but I wouldn't worry too much as he is doing so well in other areas.