writing/handwriting boy reception

[Rjw84]

My summer born boy loves numbers, is doing very well at reading, but his writing is a real struggle: he can't really form the letters properly yet, let alone think about sizing. His pencil grip is fine (I think!)

Does anyone have experience of this with their own children...and did they find anything that worked particularly well? We have been trying tracing but then read a Ruth Miskin blog that says that's a terrible idea...
He also hates colouring and play doh and finger games and pretty much everything fine motor I put in front of him!

My DS is 3 and will write his name on one of those magnetic boards that has the rub off thing (sorry, awful description but I can't think what they're called). We have a phrase for how to form each letter eg. e is curly whirly like a snail and sometimes I will model and then he'll copy.

Working as a reception TA, we have namecards for the children and they literally trace the letters every morning. The aim is to get them used to the correct way to form the letters before we let them go for gold on their own. Takes a lengthy amount of time to form all 26 letters correctly.

DS also loves tweezer and threading games which are great for finger strength

Following because I’m in the same boat! We’ve set up a star chart and try to do 5 mins a night of dot to dots, drawing round shapes, colouring etc… just to try and get his pen control. He really hates writing but the prospect of a reward seems to have worked with him so far.

My daughter is the same and it is an ongoing struggle. A big part of it is she gets frustrated when she can’t do it, and then doesn’t want to practice, which means she makes no improvement.

I don’t know that I have any major words of wisdom, but I am more successful when I make the activity something that includes writing, but isn’t focused on writing. Christmas was great, with dozens of cards to sign and letters to santa. Thinking about getting her to write name tags for all her toys (she’s quite possessive!) as the next iteration

He's only in Reception and is summer born. Don't worry, he'll catch up. Tracing is a great idea if it's something he'll actually do.

My summer born daughter was very similar. She is also left handed and the way she holds a pencil makes my teeth itch. However- now in year 3 she’s got lovely handwriting and I would go as far as to say it’s nicer and neater than her dads 😂

Honestly, don't worry. It's early days.

Thanks for the ideas! Love the idea of name tags for toys: will give that
a go.

Thank you also for the reassurance. I know it's early days, but I also know from my eldest that they can get it stuck in their head that they're 'bad' at something very easily and then it's a massive struggle to boost their confidence and get them to do anything at all, so if I can address it I'd like to try!

Writing big is really really common at this age. They all seem to do it. I wouldn't worry about that.

Lego is also great for fine motor, if that would appeal to him? My summer born 4yo won't pick up a pencil unless he has to, but makes really intricate Lego models, which works the same muscles.

Although it is very common for children (empirically especially boys) to have writing issues in reception which resolve with time/a bit of work, do be aware of dysgraphia.

My son started struggling in reception, and was highly aware of his writing issues by year 1. He had lots of help but he still can’t write (it affects numbers and letters). I wish we hadn’t spent quite so long doing handwriting books and exercises looking back - it made no difference, and was frustrating for him. Luckily it is not so much of an issue at a supportive school when they are a little older as they can type/use work arounds.

In summary I’d do a little work with your son now (5 mins a day?) and see how he develops. If your son still can’t write in year 1/2 I’d have an educational psychologist and an OT assess him. If he is dysgraphic there may be some struggles ahead to get his ideas/answers on paper but in my experience your son (like dyslexics) will have been blessed with other strengths that come through over time. Dysgraphia is “in” my family - my dad could never write, and it really held him back academically. Thank goodness times have changed.

Core strength impacts fine motor - climbing, swinging, balance bikes and balance-dancing games- will all help prewriting skills.
In this situation it can help to go back one stage (say preschool) abs do activities he did with teachers then. Find the level he can confidently do, practice this for a while, then take a gentle step up and do the next stuff.
Schools are Limited here- but you aren’t!

I’m very grateful for so much good advice - lots to try. We don’t have any dysgraphia in the family to my knowledge but I’ll keep it in mind over the next year or so.

Zombie post I know, but @Rjw84 I'm just wondering how you got on, now that we're over a year since your last post.

I'm in similar position now with DD in reception so I'm curious to hear how things developed, any tips you would give your past self?

This chart provide good info about motor skills childdevelopment.com.au/resources/child-development-charts/fine-motor-developmental-chart/