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Original poster

Writing skills in a rising five

54 replies

jabed · 21/03/2011 08:21

My DS started the village school last September. He is an August born so he is still only 4 1/2. I sent him able to read and write . I taught him to form letters etc. He was bright so he picked it up.

Now his teacher says he doesnt put enough pressure on when writing but wouldnt clarify.
I cant see it because his letters are visable and well pressed. I taught him to reduce pressure because words should be on a page, not impressed on the next six. I am worried because they seem to want to label him and have some programme for strengthening his joints which includes lots of stuff I worry may damage his growing body. He hasnt got joint problems. Since they arent Dr's and he is young for his class, I am not happy. Also, let me say again. I cant see the problem.

I dont know what to do. Anyone met this?

OP posts:
coccyx · 21/03/2011 08:33

How odd. I am curious to hsee any replies

Annelongditton · 21/03/2011 09:00

Hi Jabed

I attended a very interesting seminar held by a man called Gary Wilson who has spent 20 years looking at the difference between girls and boys achievements in education. One of the many very interesting points he made was that at 5 years old a boy's body is still developing upper torso strength ready to "spear the mammoth". Girls have far superior fine motor skills to boys at this age, and it is very common for boys to have problems with writing which is why most countries teach writing later!
He has written a book, he has some really interesting points to make, its quite an eye opener, you start to realise that the whole evaluation system favours girls from 0 right through to 18!

MrsBrollyhook · 21/03/2011 12:14

It does sound very odd.

As Annelongditton says most countries don't teach writing until much later. For my DD, her pencil control just wasn't there until a month or 2 before her 5th birthday, then writing suddenly clicked.

She simply wasn't ready to write sooner, so proposing this programme for your DS seems pointless!

askhfgaslkgsj · 21/03/2011 16:48

I wouldn't worry about an August birthday boy not writing particulary well, but what worries me is that you say you sent him to school able to write. Perhaps you have taught him different ways to form the letters and there is some conflict between what you want and what the teachers want. He might be worried about writing at school incase he gets it 'wrong'. Just a thought.

Rosebud05 · 21/03/2011 18:59

You need a fuller discussion with the school, with detailed observations about the problems they see, the solutions they offer and then consider them.

You mention that they're trying to 'label' him - with what?

mrz · 21/03/2011 20:59

jabed has taught his son to write his name and address perfectly (when he was three) so age/month of birth and sex aren't the problem ...

IndigoBell · 21/03/2011 21:27

Mrz - you run loads of programs like this with various kids don't you? Fizzy and whatnot?

I suspect they want to put him on a highly recommended intervention which will help with his fine motor skills or something. And I suspect you are very lucky that they have picked up a slight problem now when it is easy to correct.

I suspect they are not trying to label him. Just give him a slight bit of extra help.

Don't panic. But do talk to his teacher and find out more. If you tell us the name of the intervention I'm sure MRZ will be able to tell you all about it.

But I repeat, you are very lucky that school are on the ball and have noticed even a slight problem. If the same had been done for my DS maybe he'd be able to write now :(

mrz · 21/03/2011 21:35

Yes Indigo I run lots of programs and I suspect it is my suggestions that jared is opposed to

IndigoBell · 21/03/2011 21:39

:(

So many threads on MN where parents are complaining that their DC is getting extra support. Or even worse - being 'labelled'

They have no idea how hurtful it is to those of us parents whose kids desperately needed extra support and never got it because we didn't have a brilliant SENCO like they obviously do....

The idea that SENCOs and teachers have time to give extra support to kids who don't need it as frankly ridiculous.

Anyway OP. Like I said. My DS is 10 and still can't write. And yes he has some labels. One of many of his labels is gifted.

And I can promise you it is bloody hard to correct a 10 year old's writing.

Original poster
jabed · 22/03/2011 06:24

Rgabj you for the messages. I spoke to his teacher yesterday afternoon. Me, rather than my DW. I asked very gently what she thought the problem was, what solutions the school wanted and what I could do to help. Now they are back tracking. Apparently its not a "problem". It was just something she said at the time. She said he did press more lightly that other children in the class and that he also had more developed fine motor skills for his age. So, you tell me.

Thanks you agin for the suggestions.

OP posts:
Original poster
jabed · 22/03/2011 06:28

Indigobell,
I agree entirely with your point. I think it is important for schools to pick up problems early and give children who need help that help. It does no good when they are spending time and resources on children like my DS who doesnt have problems instead of supporting those who do.

OP posts:
Original poster
jabed · 22/03/2011 06:34

Mrz, I am not opposed to any suggestion IF it is appropriate. Obviously some of those you might have in mind were not ( as I had thought). I would rather a diagnosis from a Dr. before interveneing with exercises to strengthen muscle groups that may not need it and are not yet developed.

Teachers need to teach and leave physiotherapy to physiotherapists amd diagnosis of childrens conditions to Dr.s who specialise in that. That is my view.

I am also concerned about something I heard concerning how the children work in school - on the floor rather than at tables sitting at chairs. We all know how difficult and uncomfortable it is to write on the floor. I mentioned it politely. Asked if there was anything I might do to help fund raise for tables and chairs in the class. It remains to be seen what happens now.
Thanks for the advice everyone.

OP posts:
IndigoBell · 22/03/2011 09:13

Most kids love working on the floor!

Original poster
jabed · 22/03/2011 15:52

Indegobell, maybe kids do love the floor but it is not the place to write. It is bad for posture. Leads to problems and pain because you cannot write correctly in that position. Thats why we are all being told to have the correct posture when working - at computers, at a desk etc.

OP posts:
Rosebud05 · 22/03/2011 16:25

Is the writing on the floor really due to a lack of tables and chairs? Surely, even in these days of austerity schools have the basics?

I'd agree that writing on the floor isn't great for adults who tend to write lots. Reception kids only do bits and bobs of writing - is it really all on the floor?

Rosebud05 · 22/03/2011 16:30

Just read through this thread again... tbh, I'd be really relieved if a teacher identified a possible difficulty one of my children were having and proposed a solution. And pleased if my dc didn't need the help that they would have had had it if they did need it, iyswim.

It really doesn't sound like her comments are a criticism of your ds or his parents; just a teacher trying to do the proactive best for one of her pupils.

mrz · 22/03/2011 18:24

Actually jabed for rising 5 year olds sitting at a table and writing can lead to a number of problems and it is better to use a vertical surface than a horizontal one to develop wrist and finger strength where possible.

mrz · 22/03/2011 18:26

In case you think I'm overstepping my place as a teacher and SENCO the advice is from an number of Occupational Therapists.

maizieD · 22/03/2011 19:26

But the floor is not a vertical surface...

Perhaps the Victorians knew a thing or two with their angled desks Hmm

mrz · 22/03/2011 19:51

I'm not saying the floor is a vertical surface simply that for young children sitting at a desk is not the most appropriate position.

mrz · 22/03/2011 19:52

We use writing slopes so yes the Victorians knew what they were doing.

maizieD · 22/03/2011 22:43

If it were a choice between the floor or a table, which would you consider to be the best, mrz?

Cathycat · 22/03/2011 23:04

It sounds like his teacher is just saying that he needs to press on harder. Many children find that difficult at first. And there are things that can help with this. I wouldn't worry too much.

Original poster
jabed · 06/04/2011 08:58

I thought I would update this. I now have DS's report . It says he has met all the targets for this year and is well ahead. No mention of the issue the other week.

I noted when I went to the parents afternoon that the classroom had now been re arranged and tables and chairs were in place. I suppose that is the result of my offer to help raise funds to help provide same. I have to say that whilst I am happy for DS to stay at this school because DW wants him near to home ( understandably as he isnt yet % despite having to go to school), I am not impressed with the school. I am looking for options.

OP posts:
Littlefish · 06/04/2011 20:15

jabed - are you a physiotherapist? What is your area of specialism? Are you an expert in the physical development of children, and fine and gross motor skills?

The placement of tables is almost certainly nothing to do with your offer, and everything to do with displaying work for the parents afternoon, or a general, but possibly short term re-arrangement of furniture which happens frequently in an early years classroom.