Writing ideas for 5 year old boy, reception.

[sandyrobinson]

Hello everyone

I've just got back from parents evening and been told, in a nutshell, that I need to work on my DS's writing at home. He is doing very well in reading (turquiose level 7) but his writing is not up to the same standard and needs attention as he is already falling behind others in his group.

Any suggestions of fun writing activities? His teacher mentioned keeping a diary and writing instructions out for model making.

Cheers!

What are his interests? go with those. Also try different media.
Also, what does he find difficult - holding a pencil, motivation, segmenting?

I have this with my DS the same age. His teacher says he's just not interested in it at school and much prefers maths work or going outside. DS likes doing dot-to-dot so I picked up an activity book from Tesco. I also got a handwriting practice book, which DS does every weekday for a sticker. Once he gets 5 stickers he can choose a treat (movie night, extra play time after his story etc.), which he really enjoys.

His teacher suggested writing shopping lists with him and then going to the supermarket to get what he wrote. We've also done adventure packing lists and treasure maps.

Treasure hunt - get him to hide a couple Easter eggs, and give him some post-its to write Clues on. Then you get to do the hunt with his help and then get an egg each!

Birthday present request list, Christmas present list...

Ds will write happily in felt tip with large paper - maybe get a A3 pad for doing 'posters'? Making or writing cards for people sometimes worked but in R usually just meant scribble - now he usually writes something (Y1). Taking photos of masterpieces encouraged him.

Sewing his own monster helped practise finger strength (felt bits, tapestry needle and cotton). Play-dough good too.

I get up Word on the computer as a special treat - different skills but will certainly be useful later.

We do treasure maps, writing birthday cards/thank you cards etc, daily diary in holiday but shopping lists and labels for items around the house are simple and quick too
He also has a little notebook that he draws in and writes what he's drawn. He has something on the wow board this week - three things that remind him of home. To help with his sentence forming we play a verbal game of saying a sentence in turn to tell a story

Fantastic suggestions, thank you so much :) He will love the Easter treasure hunt. Give us something topical to do over the hols too.
Guiliana, his teacher said that others in his group are using connectives such as 'so' and 'and' better than my ds. Also, just a general lack of 'stick-ability'. Think she meant he looses interest? A bit like your LO Andharry....

His spelling isn't amazing either. Eg spelt was as 'wuhs'.

He is interested in Lego superheroes and Lego Star Wars at the moment...

A wow board sounds fun! Sorry to be dense, but what is one exactly?

WOW board - is a display board in school, his work his up there this week. Maybe you could have one at home? We have DSs stuff up all over the house

Get him to send a postcard to grandparents/aunties/uncles etc - hopefully choose someone who will send him one back!

Haha! Yes, will forewarn my mum :)

DD loves doing shopping lists and sending postcards to her cousins