Left handed writing (Reception) question

[Fluffybubble]

Hi

My ds is four and has just started school. We received a note home to say that the children would be given 'name tags' to use to learn how to write their names correctly. It will indicate the point at which the child should start the letter (I haven't seen this yet so that's all I know!).

Anyway, I thought about this and, as my ds is left-handed, had a word with his teacher to ask if the starting point would be different for a l/h child (my ds would start a 'T', for example, from the top right, whereas a r/h person would start from the left) and he said no. I also spoke to my mum (a foundation stage teacher) and she said that it should be different for l/h children.

Does anyone know the answer?? I really don't want my ds to struggle unnecessarily with his handwriting, as he has been reluctant to have a go anyway. Sorry if I haven't made this very clear!

Thank you!

[wotulookinat]

I'm left handed and a teacher (secondary, though) and I think left-handers are taught in the same way. As they develop, they may find their on way of doing it that is easier, but by that point, HOW they shape their letters is less important that WHAT the outcome is. Hope that helps.

[BlueTwo]

Hi Fluffy - in our Reception Welcome pack we were given sheet on letter formation for children which has all the letters of the alphabet, both capitals and small letters, and shows using arrows and numbers how children should form letters. On one side we have right handed children and on the other is left handed - both different! I haven't seen them teaching the children writing yet so I don't know how they deal with left handers, but I would be surprised if they forced them to write the right handed way. Perhaps a MN teacher or TA could help ....

[toobusytothink]

Hello
sorry no advice, but interested too. My ds is nearly 3 and has always been strongly left-handed.
My brother is left handed and know he always had problems with writing. Think it is very difficult for them.

[wotulookinat]

Oh it must have changed since I was at school myself - which is a good thing!

[ajandjjmum]

DS is left-handed, and did struggle with his writing until his Yr. 3 teacher took him under her wing. She was left handed and used to buy practise books for him and worked really closely to help him. He is now 16, and his writing is very neat - although he does get frustrated occasionally if he uses a pen that smudges!

[nailpolish]

i am left handed and i would cross my T right to left
you also write O the other way
and lots of other letters too

have a chat with teacher and ds

[wotulookinat]

Do you know what, I don't actually think that I have thought that I do things differently from right-handers, but I do! This thread has made me think
The only thing I can't do is peel vegetables, although that may be just an excuse

[Bumblelion]

My youngest DD is left handed - the focus has not been so much on how the letters are formed as long as they are formed.

My DD is in Yr2 and her writing is coming along fine - also has SEN - but sometimes she writes the most fantastic sentences back to front, every letter written 'mirror' image.

i.e. should be

My mum went to the shops

spohs eht ot tnew mum ym

(but every letter formed backwards as well, but I can't show that on the computer)!

The school doesn't seem to concerend at the moment which is surprising.

[Lizipads]

There's a website that has the right way for left handers to form letters Lefthandedchildren or something like that). I printed off the sheets cos I have twins who are both left-handed and they didn't naturally do it the way they were being told to, so I thought I'd check.

[Tamarto]

My DS2 is left handed, he writes surprisingly well, he's never been taught any different way, but he has like the others just been left to get on with it.

[christywhisty]

At my dc's school they provided laminated sheets for handwriting. My DD is left handed and they had a left handed sheet for her.

[dilemma456]

Message withdrawn

[Fluffybubble]

Thank you all of you . It's quite interesting, as I thought that the 'old' way was the same for all, and I thought that it might make a big difference to my ds.

I will have a look at that website Lizi, thank you.

Bumblelion, I think that is really clever!

Will definitely look into this further, thanks for your help...

[Fluffybubble]

Btw, I like the peeling veg opt-out...