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Do lefties always write backwards at the start?

27 replies

Catren · 28/05/2019 08:57

My 4yo dd is a definite south paw, she's been holding pencils and crayons etc with her LH for 2 years and even scoots like a leftie. She's started writing her name, and does it backwards. The letters are even mirrored. Is that normal? Should i pull her up on it now or let it sort itself out at preschool and then school? Im happy to help, it's just that she's so proud of it that i don't want to discourage her confidence.

ideas? Tips?

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wizzywig · 28/05/2019 08:59

No i write how a right handed person writes but with a left hand. I dont do that bendy hand thing either.

dartitus · 28/05/2019 09:01

What do you mean by backwards? Like writing a capital A starting from the bottom right if you know what I mean?

MaximusHeadroom · 28/05/2019 09:04

Totally normal. My DSIL did it and my DD also does it, although they are starting to turn the right way now.

Don't worry and don't overcorrect. Life is already hard for lefties with so much in life being set up for right handers and the last thing we should do is make them self conscious about it too.

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Catren · 28/05/2019 09:05

Ah sorry for not being clear. She would do her A starting from the bottom right, then the next letter would be on the left, with letters completely mirror image.

And i'm not asking what adult lefties do, it was about whether when starting out with writing, is this normal before you learn to read and realise the words go left to right?

No one in my family is a leftie so it's new to me

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Pinkkahori · 28/05/2019 09:08

My dd did. She was clearly a leftie as soon as she started trying to feed herself at 6 months old!
She did mirror writing for quite a while. It looked correct to her so she found it hard to understand what we were talking about.
She slowly mastered the correct way but it was several years before her maths and writing were completely free of reversed numbers and letters.
She's 10 now and has lovely writing.

Catren · 28/05/2019 09:08

Thanks maximus that was my worry, she's honestly so excited about it that she might lose interest altogether if i come in and tell her it's wrong. She's more into numbers at the moment so about interests in letters is a plus. I might also ask at preschool but just wanted to hear what other mums of lefties have experienced

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Pinkkahori · 28/05/2019 09:09

My sister also did it so I was aware of it happening to lefties.

DippyAvocado · 28/05/2019 09:10

My left-handed DD never did this. She's always had extremely neat writing. However, my right-handed DD used to do it, including the mirror writing and has always had untidier writing.

blackteaplease · 28/05/2019 09:10

Mirror writing is normal for that age regardless of whether they are left or right handed. She will grow out of it but you can ask her teacher if they are concerned and whether you need to do any additional work at home (probably not).

fedup21 · 28/05/2019 09:10

Young children do sometimes mirror write-I’ve not noticed this occurring any more in left-handers though.

If they are starting at the RHS of the paper rather than the left, I do a green dot in the right starting place on the page to remind them where to begin.

PragmaticWench · 28/05/2019 09:11

This is really common for all children, nothing to do with being right or left handed. It takes our brains a while to get 'left to right' with writing, and mirror writing is quite usual. Amazing what the brain can do, as an adult I would have to concentrate REALLY hard to mirror write a word!

PragmaticWench · 28/05/2019 09:13

I wouldn't tell her it's wrong, just encourage her to start writing on the left and trace under text in books with your finger, or her finger, so she can see the left-to-right progression.

Notmymonkeys · 28/05/2019 09:13

Ds1, who is right-handed, did mirror writing for a while. Ds2, who is left-handed, did not.

It’s normal and random and as long as they correct it within a few months it’s not a problem.

Notflyingfree · 28/05/2019 09:14

Leftie here with rh and lh dc. Both of them did mirror/backwards writing for a while. Rh DC also often upside down too. Totally normal and will self-correct. She's right to be proud! One thing I would say though is that my left-hander is VERY sensitive about her writing and how she holds her pen. So we tread lightly and mostly just let her get on with it. Her writing is as good as anyone else's now (yr 4).

Pinkkahori · 28/05/2019 09:15

I noticed it was worse when dd was copying a piece of writing rather than writing from memory IYKWIM.

CountFosco · 28/05/2019 09:16

I am left handed and have 2 left handed children and 1 rightie. It is normal for all small children, left or right handed, to write in mirror writing.

Don't use terms like south paw.

NoClueWithStyle · 28/05/2019 09:20

I did as a child.
Also, If I was writing in a notebook for example, I turned the book over and wrote on the inner back page instead of the front, and wrote right to left.

To this day, if I get a magazine, I flip it over and start reading at the back page.

I am also dyslexic though so that may impact it.
Despite both of these foibles, I am well educated and in a professional job.

With regards to the best plan for your DC, I don't know. I had years of being forced to hold the pen in my right hand, until one teacher with compassion took me under his wing. (Small village sch in the 80's, he taught me for 5 years, and will always be the teacher that made a huge difference to my life). It took years of practice to develop legible handwriting. But it's now something I am complimented on all the time. Don't make a big issue of it though.

Maybe model to your DC the right direction to write in. So you write the first letter, then get her to copy, pointing on the paper where to place it. Then when she copies the second letter, point out to place on the right side of the first. Etc.
But if she starts getting upset, distressed etc just stop. Sept isn't far away and school will have their way of developing her skills.

Let her enjoy reading, writing etc. From there the rest will fall into place. But if it becomes a bone of contention at this stage it could take years to break down.
Ultimately don't worry too much. There are loads of us lefties in the world and generally we get on ok.

Catren · 28/05/2019 09:25

So it's nothing to do with the left handedness! Thanks all, that helps. Funny when you realise your child isn't special after all 😂

Is south paw offensive?

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Sausageroll123 · 28/05/2019 10:23

My 4 year old is a leftie and does exactly the same! Glad to hear he's not the only one Smile

AuntMarch · 28/05/2019 10:45

Let her see you write - we don't model it enough now everything is on smart phones! Write proper shopping lists, get her to help you. Real every day practice.
Don't correct her, but point to the words as you read stories to her, and read the shopping list back etc.. she'll start to take in the direction you are moving your finger.

It's not only lefties who do it, but it does seem more of them do. Nothing to worry about!

Ilikewinter · 28/05/2019 10:54

Im a south paw and its not offensive....i like to think im "special"!!!

On holiday once, we found a left handed shop...it was amazing, i think it was then my hubby realised what a right handed world we live in!!

wizzywig · 28/05/2019 16:13

What is a south paw?

YerAWizardHarry · 28/05/2019 16:18

My DS (6) doesn't write backwards but does struggle with letter reversal still

Catren · 28/05/2019 22:43

Wizzywig it's a name for lefties which i think came from boxing, suggesting it gave them an advantage. North being righty, south being lefty, and paw being the hand obviously. I think it's kind of a nice name!

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OldAndWornOut · 28/05/2019 22:46

South paw doesn't offend me in the slightest.
I like being one, until I try to use a tin opener.

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