Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
SEN

Here you'll find advice from parents and teachers on special needs education.

Original poster

Write from the start - Pen control

41 replies

Reallytired · 24/08/2007 12:30

I wanted to share this link

www.amazon.co.uk/Write-Start-Programme-Perceptual-Handwriting/dp/1855032457

I have been using this book for 10 minutes a day with my son since June. The results have been absolutely amazing.

My son is a five and half years old and his pen control was completely hopeless. What is even more impressive is that my son has actually enjoyed it!

OP posts:
catok · 11/01/2008 22:43

Was recently advised to try a Pelikan Junior fountain pen cos it has a triangular rubber grip. DS likes it as it's more like everyone else's. Seems to be withstanding immense pressure on the paper!
Was also advised to do fun things rather than letter formation - DS will do mazes (printed off internet)- challenge is to go round but not touch any lines.
Left-handed? I've been amazed at result of buying a ruler numbered right-to-left, and really chunky pencil grips.
MNetters - Why do we have to solve these problems for ourselves? Finding excellent hints on here! Thanks,Reallytired!

aquariusmum · 10/01/2008 16:22

Am going to get the book now, as his pen grip is awful and don't think the school are doing enough about it. He is ASD so it will be a long haul, but the book looks great, thanks!

posher · 10/01/2008 13:48

Reading all these posts on handwriting has been great. I too have a 6 year old son whose handwriting is untidy. He too is being referred to an OT. I am going through the book mentioned with him and he quite enjoys doing it. The school have suggested letting him type answers on the PC or letting me do them!! How is that going to help! Why can't he just have untidy handwriting? Do they need to label everyone as somethin? It drives me mad that the school seem determined to identify a problem which will no doubt sort it self out in the near future. Being told he can type out answers on the computer will just make him less likely to try to write, surely. He loves being on the PC! Anyway, I have a referral even though both the school nurse and the doctor said he was fine. You are not alone!! Good luck every one.

cornsilk · 11/10/2007 18:56

There are 2 sets of books on Amazon - which should I get?

southeastastra · 24/08/2007 19:12

i feel the same neicie

Niecie · 24/08/2007 18:45

Reallytired - that happened to my son too - no pictures on the wall except if there is a class exercise where everybody does the same thing. My heart breaks for him sometimes.

It seems to permeate other areas too as my son, who is an excellent reader with a fantastic memory, never gets asked to say anything in plays and assemblies when I know he would love to do it and would be confident enough to do a good job. I am sure it is because he is on the Register of SEN.

Not fair to be labelled at 5 is it?

I am seriously considering not carrying on with his OT and ST next year as they don't really seem to be doing any good and he isn't badly affected and I sometimes feel that it is all just making him stand out from the crowd. It was OK in infants, very small children accept each other but I am worried it won't be like that in the juniors.

If I could help him at home then maybe that would be enough.

southeastastra · 24/08/2007 17:10

i would have been livid at that reallytired.

Original poster
Reallytired · 24/08/2007 17:06

I think that children who find pen control difficult (for whatever reason) can get in a vicous circle.

They refuse to do fine motor skill activites because of their sense of failure. This makes them get less practise and get further behind other children. At the age of five girls are more advanced in this area. (Due to development rather than intelligence) It makes the boys disheartened.

My son's school had a open evening where children's work was displayed. He said to me "Mummy, there's no point in looking to see if any of my work is displayed on the wall: All my work is bad." The worst thing was that none of his work was displayed at the age of 5. One girl had FIVE pictures on the wall.

OP posts:
southeastastra · 24/08/2007 16:47

yes i tend to agree with both your views too. my poor son has an iep and has seen speech therapists and now this!

we luckily got a cancellation so are seeing the ot at the end of september.

he has tried triangular pencils and when he concentrates can write nicely! but the school want him referred ...

Original poster
Reallytired · 24/08/2007 16:38

Its a pity that you can't get refered to our child development centre for occupational theraphy. You won't beleive it, the waiting time was about 4 weeks.

OP posts:
Original poster
Reallytired · 24/08/2007 16:36

We saw an occupational therapist yesterday. Her opinon was that school starts far to early for boys in the UK. My little boy has been really unhappy being made to do handwriting practice at 5.

To be frank I don't think that my son should ever had been put on the SEN register for fine motor skills. The problem was the national curriculum rather than my son.

OP posts:
Niecie · 24/08/2007 16:31

There's a lot of it about with these boys and their fine motor skills. Do we as a country ask too much of them too soon I wonder?

Thanks for the recommendation - I will look into getting a copy I think. I will wait for the 4yo though - see what his nursery do with him this term. They keep telling me he is very bright but it doesn't show up in any academic way so I thought I might give him a go and see what he achieves but maybe not! One boy at a time!! The big one first.

Good luck with the OT southeastastra. I hope you get to see one soon - we had a terribly long time on the list. Have you tried trianglur pencils - supposed to make the pencil grip easier.

southeastastra · 24/08/2007 16:23

looks good, my ds(6) is being referred to a occupational therapist as this teacher thinks his fine motor skills are bad

Original poster
Reallytired · 24/08/2007 16:20

I think it would be excellent for a 7 year old. You only need one book and you photocopy the pages you need. You can photocopy exercises and many times as you need them.

The book isn't babyish at all although there are some additional games/ worksheets which are more suitable for younger children. 90% of the book isn't babyish.

Infact it has been sucessfully used with adults who have suffered strokes/ head injuries and need to relearn how to write.

I think you could use it with a seven year old and a four year old, but you would pick different parts. Its probably better for a seven year old than a four year old.

My son was just over joyed that he could do it.

OP posts:
Blandmum · 24/08/2007 15:34

Buy the book and photocopy pages.

We have found it excellent.

Niecie · 24/08/2007 15:33

My DS1 (just turned 7) has awful writing (AS/dyspraxia). He can write neatly sometimes but I am not exagerating if I say it is once a year! It is a real struggle for him.

He is just about to start yr3 and is generally a bright little boy. Would this scheme be alright for him or do you think he might find it a bit childish? Sometimes these things are aimed at the very young and won't capture his attention.

Is it the sort of thing I could start with DS2 who has no pencil skills at all and who is 4 in 3 wks.

Would I need to buy two sets of books or are they reusable?

Sorry for all the questions but it looks really interesting.

I am glad you have found something to help your son. I hope the teachers are stunned by his improvement when he goes back to school.