4 year old with no interest in writing

[AlltheGs123]

He's only four and one month I know but my DS will not settle for any length of time so any colouring/writing activity. Apparently he's the same at preschool and spends most of his time in the "construction" corner. So far he will write X and 0 and attempts G but this is often sideways. He is otherwise quite forward, he is bright with a good memory and great communication skills.

A) am I right to be worried?? b) any ideas on how to encourage working on phonics etc?

Any advice will be gratefully received x

Please please please don't panic! There's loads of time for him to twig on his own that mark making is fun. As long as the opportunities are there and he's seeing other people writing, drawing and colouring, he'll be fine and get to it when he's good and ready. Same with phonics, really no need to be trying to push anything now. I'm a teacher but passionate about allowing children to develop at their own rate.

If we lived in a country that really valued engineers spending time in construction corner would be as valuable as early writing. All those parents with their early readers would be panicking, but s/hes never interested in building anything!

No, you are not right to be worried.

Our insane education system in this country is to blame.

DS is a couple of months older than yours and in reception, he isn't interested either but am refusing to make a big deal of it at the moment. Try not to worry he will start eventually.

If we lived in a country that really valued engineers spending time in construction corner would be as valuable as early writing. All those parents with their early readers would be panicking, but s/hes never interested in building anything!

DO NOT WORRY!

I worked in primary schools for twenty-five years, as TA and helper. As Mintyy says, it is our education system that is at fault, not you or your child.

That is BRILLIANT he likes construction! Read to him, if he will listen to stories or look at the pictures; if he doesn't want to, don't 'push' it. And don't try to do Phonics until he starts to take a spontaneous interest in it; leave it until school when he is a bit older.

If he likes jigsaw puzzles, encourage him in those. Maybe get him a 'weaving' or threading type activity. Or plastic model kits that clip together (a bit young for plastic glue just yet), and of course, Lego; I only recently became aware of Junior Lego, kind of mid way between Duplo and Lego proper.

He's got 11 months before he needs to write anything, I'd chill out about it.

My son is in reception and can barely write his name. He has spontaneously written letters I didn't even know he knew on the wall but so far has no interest in practising his writing. He will be five at the end of the year.

Thanks all, feeling reassured I'm sure he'll show an interest when he's ready. It's a good idea to focus on threading activities and other things that will encourage his fine motor skills.

Hi, my ds is 4 and 8months and in reception - he also has no interest in drawing or writing, unlike his older sister who was quite precocious in that respect. Nursery were not bothered when I mentioned it and said it is v common for boys this age not to be that interested. School were also not too bothered at the parents evening. I have heard that boys can be later developing the fine motor skills needed for writing. They did suggest practising writing with thick felt pens as less friction than pencils and easier to hold and grip.
I am trying not to worry and to hold on to the idea that they do develop differently and that 4 is v young and in quite a few countries would not yet be expected to read and write! Learning through play is probably more useful at this stage.