DD will be 4 in September. I have never had any concerns about her, I thought she was developing really well, she is sociable, happy and confident. However, when I picked her up from nursery yesterday her teacher mentioned to me that she is ordering a special pencil-grip contraption for DD as they are concerned that she still hasn't learned how to hold a pencil correctly. She still holds it in a fist, I haven't ever really encouraged her to hold it properly as it just isn't something I've really thought about, she loves to draw and her pictures are pretty good (in my slightly biased PFB opinion!) The teacher went on to say that DD's writing is coming on well but she struggles to write her name independently (i.e. without copying it from somewhere.) She gets the first 3 letters spot on but the last 2 are a bit hit and miss. This is something nursery think we need to work on both at nursery and at home.
Lastly, she told me that she has bought an egg timer for my DD as her concentration is poor and needs to improve as she is constantly dotting about from one activity to the next without finishing anything. The teachers now use the timer to make sure DD concentrates on what she is doing for 3 minutes. They plan to gradually increase this length of time.
I am now slightly concerned. Are these things I need to worry about? I have always just thought that she was a normal 3 (almost 4) year old and have never really questioned her writing ability or concentration, but nursery have made me reconsider. The teacher was saying how important it is for her to have these skills before she starts school, but she won't be starting school for over a year, surely that is enough time for her to develop these things naturally? Or should I be encouraging her a bit more? Would really appreciate any advice.