Reception ds can’t write his name yet

[stillhalfway]

He can write the shortened version but can’t write his full name … feel like most children can, so just wondering if this is something to be concerned about?

As in Ben for Benjamin?

He’s what? 4? I wouldn’t worry at this point.

That sort of thing?

Lots of children in reception up and down the country won't even be able to write a shortened version of their name yet, let alone the whole thing. It's really nothing to worry about.

I don't think it's a concern... And I think kids with longer names maybe need a little extra time to learn!

It depends on the name really doesn’t it? Maximilian is going to take longer to spell his full name than Jack.

Blimey - bulls eye! I was going to be coy and pretend it was Alexander or Sebastian or something but you got it first time!

Thanks … I think I have a few boastful friends

Absolutely not. Around half of my Reception class can write their name unaided now (only 3 could in September). The rest can either write some recognisable letters which identify their work as their own, or trace over their name (which we write in a yellow marker) and have a go at copying the letters underneath. They will all get there soon. As a teacher, I wouldn't be worried at this stage of the year as their fine motor skills are still developing, so please don't worry.

Christmas is coming up. Once they've copied their name into 30+ Christmas cards for all their classmates and family members in a short space of time, it usually starts to click.

If he can write a shortened version that's brilliant. If he's always known by the short version anyway, I'd even go as far as saying he can already write his name. It's an important skill, to be able to spell their full name, but writing a short version/nickname, day to day is absolutely fine at this stage.

Some schools don't even ask children to try and write anything till they are 6 and they are none the worse off.

He’ll be fine

It’s great he can write Ben

My niece started in September, already 5 (Scotland) and she did write her name sort of in the card I got 2 weeks ago, but if you didn’t know her name you may have struggled to read it! If dc can’t write their letters and write their name by the end of reception it’s time to set more time at home to practice (which you can do now if you want) but nothing to be concerned about so early.

I wouldn't worry at this stage. My ds1 has a long name and didn't learn to write it until about half way through reception.

Thanks - what a nice encouraging sort of thread!

Ds was very put out through infants that I hadn't named him Sam, as that was the easiest name he knew to write. His name is only double the length and no tricky letters, but he still thought it a definite con that he had to write more than his friend.
In fact I suspect at 18yo he still has a slight resentment towards me for that.

But part of it will be what they ask him to write. When mine were at pre-school they taught the children to write their names by writing it in yellow and expecting them to go over it in pencil whenever they did art or anything to take home. It was amazingly successful, and most children managed a good enough approximation within the year.
One of the girls was called "Constance" and her mum asked if they could use the full name so she learnt to write that, which they did, and she was soon very good at writing the full thing. However when she went to school, and they told her to write "Connie" on her work she had no idea how to.

So if they're only encouraging him to write "Ben" then naturally he won't be able to write the longer word.
He'll learn when he needs it.