HELP...Teacher says DD doesn't want to learn to write...???!!!!

[willywonka]

DD is 4.6yrs and in Reception class at school. At last week's Parents' evening we were told by her teacher that she simply doesn't want to do any work that entails writing and that whilst this isn't an immediate problem, it will be if it continues through the Summer Term ahead of going into Year 1.

The rest of the "report" was fine - she loves going to school, behaves well in every other respect, apparently has an excellent vocabulary and practices her reading skills at every opportunity. I have begun to sit down for a few minutes each day to practice those letters she finds difficult but would welcome any suggestions of things I can do that might encourage her to see writing as a fun activity. Thanks.

Make it a bit more fun perhaps?

Can she count up to 10? If so how about making each letter a 'dot to dot' puzzle for her?

Or set little manageable tasks like tell me two words you know that begin with 'A' then you write them out for her and she copies them.

You can print off letters on the computer which are semi transparent and she can write over the top of them.

Do her name like this then get her to write over the letters and then decorate the rest of the page - could you perhaps laminate this and then use it as a place mat?

Ask her to help with labeling things around the house - perhaps if it has a practical use she might be more inclined to write.

If she is keen to show off, why not give her a little spelling test - get her to write the words down on a piece of paper which you can 'mark' for her.

I think really though that the teacher, if she is experienced, should have a whole armoury of techniques to deal with the reluctant travellers Did she give you any ideas to try?

Hi - is she left handed or maybe undecided? My DD was the youngest in reception and was basically left handed although not totally dominant - she really struggled and it was not until Yr1 this term she has turned the corner. She said it hurt her to write - so we concentrated on pencil technique and tried diff. shaped pencils etc.. Maybe worth a try. How many in the class?

Shes still very young ww, i wouldnt worry too much. If she likes drawing how about spending time drawing, then maybe labelling the picture eg mummy, daddy, the park, our house etc. There are lots of practice writing books you can get from bookshops, may be she would see something like this as a treat? The best opportunity to encourage writting comes at xmas with letters to santa, maybe you could ask her to help you write a shopping list with an extra treat for her helping.

My dd was 4 in October and struggles with writing, but she has poor eyesight and is getting a lot of support from Occupational therapists and teachers who work with visually impaired children.

We use wipe clean laminated boards, we allow her to type on the PC to show us how much she knows with regards to words and things.

Have you any idea why your dd "won't" try it?
Worth finding out what her reasons are
My dd doesn't want to because she can't do it at all.

like your dd my dd loves reading, spelling, counting and is above average in those areas. We assume that when writing does eventually come she will pick up at a level appropriate to her other skills....

My DS is also in reception and also a reluctant writer, although all concerned feel this is related to his being left handed and not great at the old fine motor skills! His teacher suggested a gym ribbon, like "Angelina Ballerina" which he uses to make huge cicles in the air and crosses in front of his face. This is to build up the muscles in his upper arm, which in turn will aid his pencil grip. He also uses an easel at home with a white board on one side and blackboard on the other. This helps him to see easily what he's writing without the other arm getting his way. It's also more fun - he loves writing up a menu for his cafe!!

Thanks for all the suggestions to date - especially the ribbon idea ruslara as she's a huge Angelina fan. As it happens, I'm the left-hander in this family & was always a bit (stupidly) disappointed that dd has never shown any sign of following me down the South Paw road .

DD appears to see writing as too much like hard work, especially when she can type words perfectly well on a computer. Basically it's partly down to the fact that she's had access to a PC from a young age - for which dh & I accept total responsibility - and partly that she just finds it more difficult than other areas of learning. However I can't help but feel that there are going to be loads of challenges at school and that if we don't nip this in the bud, that we won't be equipped to help her with other things as they occur. Is this harsh?

I had real trouble finding the gym ribbons - eventually got them on ebay, and the whole family has fun leaping around the garden like little dancing mice!! DS is the only leftie in this household, so we were a bit taken aback, and clueless!!

Lefties rule !! Tell him willywonka says so, so it must be true!!!

I will! We are in a VERY Roald Dahl phase in this house so he'll love it!!