Concerned about dd's drawing/writing/colouring skills.

[eugenefitzherbert]

My dd recently turned 5. She is in pre-school and will start formal schooling in September. We are not in the UK so while she will probably be one of the older in her class it is not unusual to start school at this age. There are 2 or 3 older than her in her pre-school.

She loves to paint and prefers it to pens or crayons. She doesn't make obvious shapes but is fascinated by colours and mixing to make new colours etc.

At pre-school they do plenty of colouring in but she makes no effort to stay inside the lines. She recognises all her letters and can spell some words but makes very little effort to write. She can copy her name but the result is huge and unformed.

For a long time I wasn't concerned at all and let her do what she enjoys but with school looming I am starting to be concerned.

Yesterday I sat with her and really encouraged her to draw a person. Suddenly she drew a person with large head, huge eyes and a big smile with little ears on top of the head and stick arms and legs. It was adorable and she drew about 15 more after that with different colour eyes, hair etc.
I praised her loads and she was so proud of herself.

I checked a child development book this morning and it said by 4 most children can draw a person with head, body etc so it seems she is quite far behind.

The pre-school have no concerns about her. She is very verbal (ahead for her age in this way), bright, chatty and interested in everything.

Should I be doing more about the pencil skills etc. I don't want to put her off it completely and there is no pressure to be able to write before starting school.

Am I overthinking this or is some intervention needed?

Thanks.

My eldest hated anything to do with drawing/painting etc when he started reception. He is 8 now and loves drawing and has very neat handwriting so it doesn't seem to have affected him. He was probably in y1 before he would draw a person.

Mrz has a list of stuff that helps writing skills, I'll see if I can find it.

this thread

Thanks.

It's because she is 5 I suppose. I have several friends with children her age who have the first year of school almost finished. Her class group in pre-school ranges from age 3 to 5.

We started her at 4 rather than 3 due to health issues and it was obvious she needed to extra year to get a bit stronger so no regrets there.

ello Excellent thread you linked to. I'll be having a good read when I get a chance.

mme, well ds is the same.....(starts school this sept too) but I couldn't care less. Tbh this obsession we have about formal learning at such a young age in this country is considered v weird on the continent. Plus it simply does not match the developemental needs of the children. At this age the skills they need (and are in the most optimal position to be learning) are all social and emotional. How to share, co-operate, work out each other needs, sit quietly, attempt group tasks, use their langauage to do all of these things..... Not to say some kids aren't capable of reading and writing at this age it's just there is no need. Funnily enough countried who leave reading and writing unitl 7 yrs old have better educational atainment than the uk in the long run......