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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

3.5 ds still can't hold pen/pencil/crayon

7 replies

pjsgalore · 29/04/2014 18:12

I hope I'm being ridiculous worrying about this, but my 3.5 year old DS can't hold a pencil/pen yet. I've tried to show him but he still holds it at the top and can barely make a face. He's also utterly uninterested in drawing/colouring. Yet his best friend, a little girl the same age, can almost write her name!

I knoooow you shouldn't compare but I can't help it! I know he's perfectly bright - can add up and recognise letters and a few words like Mummy and his own name - but he's so uninterested in holding a pen! Or painting even. Just wants to play superheroes, and role play games etc. Is anyone else's 3.5 year old like this?

OP posts:

odyssey2001 · 29/04/2014 18:15

I bet you he can't do advanced algebra or recite a Shakespearean sonnet either! Girls are always a few steps ahead of boys. Be grateful that he can engaged in such imaginative play. Ours (3.3) still does nothing more than pushing trains, cars etc around and around.

Hoviscats · 29/04/2014 18:16

My DS is the same age and very similar. He can write an F but that is it. He is just not at all interested in drawing or even colouring in, though he does like painting. I am working on the basis that there is no rush and he still has 16 months until he starts school!

JuniperTisane · 29/04/2014 18:18

DS1 is the same at 3.7. He just isn't interested in drawing at all. The most we have ever got is circles and squiggles and he still holds it in a kind of fist. Thank goodness he just misses this year's school intake so he has another year to get interested.

SueDNim · 29/04/2014 18:22

My DD gives it a go, but struggles to see what she is doing. But at 3.5 they have 1.5 years before school, so I'm not worried.

TheScience · 29/04/2014 18:24

DS1 is 4 in August and is the same. He has no interest in drawing or writing, although he can recognise his name and has a go at the first (very easy!) letter. He starts school in September but his nursery teacher isn't concerned.

Original poster

pjsgalore · 29/04/2014 18:36

Phew - thanks ladies. Feel a whole lot better he's not the only one!

OP posts:

halfdrunktea · 30/04/2014 19:21

DS is 3.5 and can't hold a pen either - he holds it at the top. Doesn't help that he is also permanently holding his comfort object, a wooden spoon.

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