Why is there emphasis on writing their names in reception?

[Numberfour]

one of DS's targets is to write his name. i don't understand why such emphasis is placed on that - it is to further develop a sense of identity while practicing writing? is it to encourage writing because each child's name is unique to them so they are keen to learn to write it?

why not get the children to learn something that they have in common - name of school or nature words - or the like?

not worried about it, just don't understand it!

I think it's partly practical - once they can write their names they can label their work as their own.

Well. I suppose they have to start somewhere.
Your name is a good a place as any. It is what you have to write on every piece of work at school.
You would be a bit buggered if you couldn't write it.
Writing has to be done for a purpose. Otherwise it doesn't mean anything.

But if he signs 29 christmas cards with 'fir-cone' no one'll know who it's from...

Being able to write your name is a pretty good life skill. Also, it's a word that means something to the child and is something they'll actually have a use for rather than, as hocuspocus suggests, learning to write fir-cone.

Because they are very likely to want to write it.

Because it is unique to them, so they are going to want to learn to write it.
Because then they can put their name proudly onto their own work.
Because they will then also be able to recognize their own name and thus find their own peg/book/tray etc in school.

I think it is hugely useful.

how about because there are probably 25 kids in the class and the teacher cannot write all their names on their paper for them and many 4 year olds will not recognise their own pictures later on (this is a teacher talking), also writing is such an important skill, might as well start learning with the most important word for a child, their own name!!
Still a bit at the op's point??????????

It's largely I guess because if they didn't, Mumnset would be full of posts about how appalling is it is that little Jocasta isn't even being taught how to write her name, and she so very very bright and she only behaves in such a a challenging fashion because she's bored.

As others say it's partly at least for practical reasons. I help in an FS2 class and it's v v helpful when a child can name their work clearly and readably!

Also it is I suppose a word they may well have seen a lot and practised. Many parents will have written their name for them to trace over on Christmas cards etc.

It's also because it's a word the child is likely to be familiar with and may have started writing already. The nearly 2yo I'm working with at the moment can write her 'A', which is the initial letter and 3 letters of her name anyway! It's an acheivable target for them and there are plenty of opportunities for them to write it afterwards.

Plus it's very practical for projects etc.

Some of the polish kids in my son's class had a hard time. However they all learnt to write their name.

I don't see why its an issue. If your child can already write their first name then the next challenge is to write their surname. (Many of the polish kids mastered this as well by the end of reception.

I'm a reception teacher and can't see the point in the target either. I'm busy teaching children how to form letters correctly then name writing will follow.
I think seeker is close to the mark the teacher feels he/she must give the child a target for the parent ...

well i have a 3.5 yr old who can write her (6 letter) name perfectly

in fact to prove this to me she has written it one her bedroom wall, the top of the stairs, her bed sheets, at the bottom of some very imprtant papers that needed to be sent to a solicitor.........

so maybe getting children to write their name is inspiring and a good way to get them on the road to an asbo for grafetti writing?

thanks for all the replies. i can see that writing has to start somewhere so it does make sense, after reading the replies, that your own name is as good a place as any - or maybe even better - to start.

i did not see it as an "issue" or anything similar. i was just curious as to why there was emphasis on name writing.

and of course it has its practical value, too.

thanks again!

i have been helping out in DS's class for a couple of weeks and can now see why it is so important that the children learn to write their names asap.

i had to do some filing of the children's work and at least half were nameless!!

question answered!

My reception child is pretty poor at writing his name... at writing anything actually. We do tracing (via Kumon) daily and he will catch up. I'm not worried about it. But we do put some effort into helpoing him develop the skills he needs.

His given first name is 9 letters long. He is known by the 4 letter nickname. When he was in nursery (year before reception at our school), they teacher asked me which name I wanted him to write. I laughed and wished her luck with the first letter.

He will be 5 in May and can now write the numbers 0-9, but struggles with 5 and 8.

I guess it's the first word they learn to recognise. Helps with labelling work?

DS is in reception (summer baby) and shows no interest in writing. He loves his books, loves looking for the letters/phonics he is learning while we are out and about, likes to cut things out of the tesco catalogue that begin with the letters in his book but writing/colouring/drawing - nada

Don't fret, McDreamy. My summer boy was similar and he found his feet when he saw everyone else having a go at school. There is a lot to be said for peer pressure.

I work in a reception class now and the children write their own names several times a day, it really is a necessary skill. However, some parents get a bit concerned if they see poorly formed letters or mistakes. We encourage the children to try and you can see amazing progress in their emergent writing over the first term. It's brill! So, when he does start to get interested, praise him up even if his writing looks bizarre.

Thank you Darts, that was v reassuring as I am a bit concerned

In hindsight I wish I had given my DD a shorter name then she might be able to write her name. She is a late August baby in reception and one of the last to write her name. She came home the other day having written 'Gog', proudly saying she had changed her name so she can say she can write her name

Clever girl!

Part of our Curriculum involves talking about how we feel when someone is 'better than me'. It can be hard to sit near someone who writes well when you are still wrestling with your pencil grip.

We get the children, when we see a bit of despondency developing, to bring in baby pictures of themselves. This can lead into lovely conversations about how much they have already learned to do. It opens up the idea that they will master things in their own time and that's perfect!

Is there anything I can do to encourage his writing?

1 They recognise it
2 Your name is the most beloved word in language
3 They recognise it

McDreamy, could you help him write Christmas cards to his friends? A letter to Santa?