Handwriting - Year 2

[Tipsylizard]

My DS 6 is a bright enough boy and very happy at his lovely nurturing primary school. He has a lovely teacher/teaching assistant who he loves dearly and he sprints in every day. His reading/maths are on track but his handwriting is terrible. His has a problematic grip and bad form, very difficult to read, all over the page, no capitals or appropriate spacing....and his motivation is poor. He doesn't enjoy writing and will actively avoid any writing work if he can. He is getting extra support at school but I am not sure it is enough. His teacher is quite relaxed but acknowledges there is a problem and I am worried about it. I am concerned he will get into bad habits and it will be hard to unpick.

We try to support him at home but I don't think I am very good at being a teacher - I get frustrated too easily!

Has anyone used a tutor for handwriting in particular? Or a tutor at this age and found it useful? I feel a bit ridiculous considering a tutor for a 6 nearly 7 year old child

I think tutors can be great, I had one when struggling in year 2. But if handwriting is the only issue I'd just get a handwriting book.

I've put up a similar post tonight as DS has similar handwriting issues. I was recommended using the Write from the Start set of books which we have been using with DS for 10 mins a day. It isn't really letter formation practise more about the fundamentals of pencil control, grip etc. I felt that after missing preschool and a term of reception that we really needed to go back to the basics. We have been doing since Christmas and I have already seen an improvement and a willingness to do more writing based activities e.g. he wanted to make a comic the other day when previously he would refuse to write at home. I'll find you a link..

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1855032457/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_SB8703KSGM90FHRR5WSQ?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Other than difficulty with handwriting does he have any other difficulties which could be motor planning problems? Dyspraxia?

Thank you everyone for replying.

@polexiaaphrodesia thanks for the link

@joobleydoo I don't think he has any other issues. He is very physically developed, has boundless energy and does a lot of sport (football/rugby/swimming/martial arts) but I suspect his minor skills have not developed at the same pace. Maybe because we have focused on these as much?

We have decided to do an online assessment with someone who.specialises in helping with handwriting. No sure if if will be any good but we will see!!

Play dough and Lego were recommended for DS1 who struggled. His handwriting is fine now (Y4). However we’ve just been told that he is hyper mobile by the paediatrician so keep an eye on that one?