I AM right, I know I am, please will you all come and confirm it?

[LiegeAndLief]

Ds is learning to write and is forming his number 5 like an S. I have tried to teach him to do the downstroke first, then the roundy bit, then take his pencil off the paper and go back to do the top flat bit (all very technical, hope that makes sense). This is the right way, yes?

Dh says this is madness, and he should just start with the top flat bit and continue to the downstroke and the roundy bit all in one go, so writing it just like an S but making it look like a 5 by being a bit more angular about it. Surely this is wrong? I have vague memories of being severely chastised for forming a 5 like that as a child and being told it was lazy and would look like an S. Dh convinced he is right. Neither of us will back down. We are probably scarring ds for life. I put it to you (to tell me I am right).

And yes, the long winter evenings do fly by in our house

I'm going to throw a spanner in the works here and admit I use both methods equally.

I do it the same way as you.

And yes I was just writing them in the air with my finger to figure out how I actually do write them.

You are right!

I work with 5 year olds and we teach the two stroke. Check with his teacher because he should do the same way he is taught in school.

Down the body, round the fat tummy then put the hat on. Probably not PC any more but that's how I remember it.

I too was taught the 2 stroke way.by very scary nuns

Another vote for ops way

I was taught your way and it's the right way!

To those saying why do it in two strokes when you can do it in one, I actually find it takes me longer, what with concentrating on doing the top bit so that it doesn't look like an S, if I do it in one go.

So there.

Teachers teach it the two stroke way.

You are right, OP. No doubt about it.

I am with OP, although I would check with the teacher and ask her how they are learning to do it at school. I think DC have learnt the 2stroke method, but could be wrong!

Unexpected

2's - doesn't matter

3's - flat top

4's - l with a stick

7's - line through it normal writing, teaching DCs line without.

i think your way is correct OP. However I do mine like you DH and they can look like an s, but usually, in context, it is quite obvious it is a 5. It has never had a detrimental affect on my life and they are quicker, so, whatever!

Ok so what went wrong with my strike through there then?

Nuns weren't much cop at teaching IT

I was taught your way OP, about 300 years ago. I still do it that way, it's THE BEST way.

UnexpectedOrange

2 like this - 2
3 like this - 3 (not flat top)
4 like L - (not like this 4)
7 like this - (no line through)

I teach children to start at the person's head, go down their body, go round their tummy then put a hat on.... (so your way!)

Of course it matters, because I am right

2 - curly
3 - all curves
4 - L with a stick
7 - with line (think this is throw back to A level maths though, to avoid confusion with hurriedly written 1)

DH is right. One stroke here, as taught at Catholic school :)

2 stroke method here.

And no nuns were involved in my education...

2's, curly
3 - all curves
4 - L with a stick
7 - with a line crossing it

and 1's? with a 'porch-roof' or just a single line down?

i do it like you!

I do it your the same way as your dh, so does ds1, I'll ask ds2 how he does it in the morning