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

*Speaking as a teacher...

First draw his neck, then his big fat tummy and then put his hat on.

DD has been taught the exact same method at her school too.

You are right. smile HTH*

Another teacher here and I absolutely agree. Most handwriting schemes will teach this using the above style.

One stroke 5 here, starting from the right and not stopping until I finish.

In fact this is what they ALL look like (and I can't believe I bleeding well did that...)

Can't really comment on the 5's, I do them in 1 stroke and they always look like 5's. I do have a sneaky suspicion I was taught 2 strike but can't really remember. However, I have just realised I do curly 2's!
What about z's that look like 3's with a big arse? I do them like that except when I write a postcode. Is that weird?

2 stroke!

Just you and me Hunty then? Good company :)

OP is right, definitely 2 stroke 5's

Flat top last here. Maybe it's an age thing? I am in my early fifties and that's how we were taught. OP is you DH a child groom?

I'm with you OP. YANBU.

FWIW, I'm sure I was taught to do a flat back, then a round tummy then add a hat to make sure we did it right!

I was taught OP's way but do both! One stroke if in a rush but two if I need it to be clearer e.g. on posters etc.

1 just one line
2 curvy
3 curvy
4 L with line
7 with a line through

I'm 30 if we are seeing if it's an age thing.

I'm with your DH. That's how DS1 is being taught in reception this year to do 5's

OP you are right

I'm with you OP.

On a similar point, my DS doesn't seem to be being taught the 'right' way to do any of his letters

eg he does a 'd' starting at the top in one whole movement, so line, then loop, and loads of others different to how I was taught

Top bit last

I'm another like the OP.

Do your DH's 5s look like Ss OP?

'here's a little man
Here's his little hat
And his Big Fat Tummy'

Gavel.

5 - Down the body, round the fat tummy then put the hat on.

Does anybody have a ditty for each of the numbers. DS writes 8 in a loop but it is always sideways. Thanks

I am a bit astounded that I have managed to start a thread with 192 posts. Don't think I've ever made it above 20 before.

Don't think it's an age thing as I am 32 and dh is 40. Definitely not a child groom!

However, my folkie theory is clearing gaining ground. Dh thinks Fairport are boring and a bit weird (although he did go to Cropredy with me twice which probably means he loves me). Ds's response to folk music in any form is "Mummy stop singing, can I listen to the Disney CD please?". I fear he may be lost to the correct way to write a 5.

Dd will listen to anything without complaint and can't write yet, so a work in progress. I will do my best to mold her in my image.

Sadly I went to bed before I managed a spreadsheet - however I have come to the conclusion that it doesn't really matter, as all it will prove is that I AM RIGHT.

OP you are right! you're DH's way is lazy

I can't remember how I was taught, but I'm with you HazleNutt

I do the top first, left to right, then back to the start and then down and the curve (although when I'm being lazy I do just do the one stroke 5's which look vaguely like an s!)

I'm with your DH and I've never even heard of the OP's way of doing it. Surely the best way to do anything is the way that involves least effort?

Mind you, my handwriting is crap so perhaps not the best source of advice.

I do the top bit first but from left to right and then come back to do the downward stroke and rounded bit. i thought everybody did it like that.

I do it your way OP. I have no idea what is "right" though.

Team OP here!
It's the only way.

Team OP! I like it. Maybe we need t-shirts...

Imagine the thread were we'll try to agree on the spelling and writing on those.
There's not enough buns in Greggs..