Awful Handwriting Yr 4

[FallenAngel22]

DD is 8 and in Yr 4. She has suspected dyslexia and has been screened for auditory processing problems which cause her massive issues with her spelling. She lacks confidence in spelling words so often looks at the word whilst writing which means she's not looking at her own writing - if you see what I mean!

Last year I spoke to her then teacher who wasn't fussed on the presentation but was more interested in the content. Her teacher this year hasn't said anything and parents' evening isn't till June. Her handwriting has not improved from last year at all. She came home with a handwritten party invite from another girl in her class and I was shocked at how neat her handwriting is!

Part of the issue is DD doesn't take pride in the schoolwork, isn't interested in writing and wants to get it done in the quickest time possible. I am worried that, as she goes into Yr 5, she's not improving and I'm not sure what to do! If she concentrates and writes really slowly, she can write neatly but this takes a long time and in class I'm assuming she doesn't have that time. I've also noticed she has a funny pen grip. We bought her a fountain pen to see if it would improve her writing but it made it worse as it had the finger grips that she just couldn't tolerate. She she writes with a Berol handwriting pen which I hate!

Will it improve by itself? Is there anything I can do to help her (providing I can get her to do any writing). I did think about seeing her teacher but don't know if it is serious enough to not wait until PE.

Any ideas?

[mrz]

It won't improve by itself.

Exercise will help to strengthen shoulder girdle, wrist and fingers which is important for writing.
As far as pencil grip is concerned if it hurts or impacts on writing fluency it needs attention.

Speed Up is a good handwriting programme for older children

I would avoid those dotty handwriting sheets if possible.

[FallenAngel22]

Thanks mrz. I'll look into that writing programme.

[mamato3luvleys]

My dd is in year 3 and I feel horrible to say that I was shocked and a bit gutted when she brought home her Christmas cards from her class mates, most of the boys even write better than her. Her poor teacher needs a medal for being able to read her writing sometimes,at home I make her redo any written work thats messy and agree it's a time thing as I have said to her loads of times about the importance of making her work look presentable and she says she hasn't had time!

[LittleMisslikestobebythesea]

Have you seen the senco at school? I saw ours as one of my sons (age 8 year 3) has terrible handwriting. We got a referral to occupational therapy and he has dysgraphia. So they have sent suggestions to school for a special pen with a grip, a slanted writing board, and to do some exercises with theraputty to strengthen the muscles, and also he gets to do creative work on the computer as although he still needs to write, it's more about the ideas for that work.

[FallenAngel22]

She's under the SENCO and has 1:1 weekly for various issues she's been screened for. Handwriting hadn't come up however! I'd love to get get tested by an EP as I have just had dyslexia diagnosis and she had similar traits, although my spelling and hand writing have never been a problem.

Dh thinks she's fine and I'm over reacting completely.