When your pre-schooler is learning something new...

[BeStrongAndCourageous]

....and they're not getting it quite right, do you correct them or just praise the effort?

My just-turned-four year old is trying to write her letters and is doing really well, for the most part, but when she's not got it quite right, I've been letting her know and trying to support her to try again - gently, so I'll say "that was a great try, but normally Js go the other way round, shall we try again?"

She's just got quite upset with me and about it and said "but I just want to do it my way!" I feel awful, and the last thing I want is to put her off, so should I just be praising her for trying?

DS is only 18months so no experience but I'd do what you're doing. Praise effort and steer info right direction.

I do what you do. Find the positive and mention the correction. She wants to learn, we only do it when she's asked to have a go, and if she starts getting fed up we stop.

I think its a mistake to correct your four year old. The fact she is attempting to write letters is brilliant. I put my son off writing by being over bearing about letter formation. Even if the letters aren't perfect she will be building up strength in her fingers. She is learning to control the pencil even if its not in your desired direction.

If you want her to learn correct letter formation then the Jolly Phonics Activity books are good. They have lots of colourful stickers and the children can learn by tracing.

jollylearning.co.uk/jolly-shop/jolly-phonics-activity-books-1-7/

Drawing with her is good way of developing pen control.