Where can I get writing practise for a reception child...

[AtheneNoctua]

who is a bit fine motor skill challenged. DS (now in reception) is a "bendy boy" as the paediatrician put it. This means his ligaments are a bit longer than most peoples and so his muscles have to do more work than most peoples. Consequently, he is a bit behind on being able to write his name or form any numbers.

I have had a fairly laid back approach to this. But, he does Kumon and he is getting frustrated because he is bored with the level of math (counting dots really) and so he wants to move on. But, to move on he needs to be able to write the numbers. So, he can easily count the 8 dots, but he can't write "8". So, I am thinking that some practise sheets on writing will get his physical coordination up to a lever where his mind can be challenged (or at least not bored).

Also, his teacher commented on the motor skills in the consultation. I told her about the "bendy boy" and said I wasn't too worried because there was a physical explanation for the lack of coordination and expected it to come along in time. But, now that it is holding back his other development, I'd like to see what I might do to help him along on the writing.

So, does anyone know wher eI might find some tracing sort of practise sheets for him?

Have you asked his teacher. She can probably give you photocopies of the sheets they have at school.

Or this sort of thing.

The school and I have a communication problem. I'll endure a lot less stress if I just sort it myself (with the help of MN's infinite wisdom of course).

His teacher is very nice and I like her. But I am just hacked off with the lack of responses from the school in general. So, if anyone knows of any links to the web or even books I could buy on amazon/watersotnes, I'd be most grateful.

Priddy Books do some good wipe clean books (and regular ones) for letters and numbers - I have a DS of Reception age with CP, the type that gives very week muscles and a connective tissue disorder causing slack skin and joints, so he is a bendy boy too!

Also I have found the stabilo s move pencil very good for helping letter formation.

Go onto the TES forum, there are an enormous amount of really good resources there, I've downloaded some Thomas the tank engine sheets with dotted numbers which I have laminated for number practise with a white board pen.

Sorry Athene, I probably should have figured that you had already consideredthe school.

It's okay. It's an obvious route... normally.

Where is this TES forum? Something I could print out and get him to practise a few times a week would be ideal. (and of coure free is always welcome)

Seems to me than if he has to develop motor skills you can do other kind of exercise with him that will be far more fun and probably more fruitful, i.e, threading, catching balls, playdough.. everything enhancing eye-hand coordination and fine motor skills.
cook with him and make him do challenging things with his hands...
I am really convinced that the approach of making someone doing more and more of what he is not good at is just a frustrating exercise that puts you off everything

whsmiths do books you can practice whith they have stars in them to reward them ,i used to get them for dd at when she was little

I agree with camaleon. Also suggest picking up things with food tongs or those sprung chopsticks you can get. Construction toys such as Lego are good. Also try big movements for letter forming first like mark making in sand tray, or gloopy cornflour mix, drawing big shapes etc on long strips of wall paper or using a wet paint brush on outside walls or patio etc. My school also recommends climbing activities to help with fine motor skills (I know... but it has been shown to help). Have fun!

TES Resources

It is free but you have to join I think.

I've downlaoded loads of curriculumn support for my DS.

I do, however, agree with cameleon that other fine motor skills exercises may be the way to generally improve this area, rather than just focussing on writing.

eg, In the summer we get a bucket of water and a decorators paintbrush and paint the fence/paving - this is a fun exercise and supports early writing skills.

I would do lots of threading, pegging things onto a washing line/cardboard box, play with rice (filling/emptying/posting through tiny holes) write letters in shaving foam etc.

But each child is different, so I'm sure you know what works for you. Good luck.

As well as writing practice, there are other activities you can do to develop fine motor skills - lots of the Montessori training is geared towards this - they use tweezers to pick up little beads and move them from one dish to another for example.

It may be a little young for your ds, but I guess you can turn it into a game of speed or something ... I googled Montessori fine motor skills activities and a few things came up including this one: www.ehow.co.uk/video_4403195_teaching-kids-fine-motor-skills.html?cr=1

Oh, this is exciting, I have now compiled a list of household chores he can do (paint the living room, pick the sand out of the carpet, scrub the oven... oh and the chimney of course).

We do try to do lots of fine motor skill stuff. I was persuaded to buy a Wii for this reason. He is the Mario Kart King. He has gotten very good at working the remote with his little fingers.

But, now, what he really needs is specifically number formation of 0 - 9 because that is what is causing him frustration.

Am now off to check that link...

also look at the teodoresco fine motor skills for writing programme Athene, they got DD (fine motor, hypermobile, low muscle tone) from enormous non writing scribbles to coherent writing on lines within 6 mths, school were total and utter shit (for want of a better word)
Amazon stock it and you can photocopy the books and reuse.
Really really god

dd's teacher uses this most of the time: www.sparklebox.co.uk/ - there is stacks of stuff on there incl letter in A4 size for tracing, then sheets for colouring with writing practice etc

Tesco do some nice cheap, wipe clean books for practising maths and writing. DD loves them.

Meant to say - you'll probably find them in the 'children's craft section' instead of the actual books bit.

Thanks everyone!

There is a free animated handwriting course on www.firstforlearning.com. My DD traced the animated shapes with her finger before writing them.

Have you got a referal for paed. physio or o.t. ?
My son has got lots of help from his (almost no waiting time)after referal from our g.p. and is waiting for occuptioanl therapy assessment (v long waiting time)

It might be worth noting the Hypermobility Syndrome site for future reference (there is a forum as well) [www.hypermobility.org

Have you tried write dance

DD's OT says that the biggest mistake (teachers) make is focusing on fine motor skills like writing, because if there is a fine motor delay it is usually because gross motor skills need to be strengthened. The big muscles need to be well controlled before small muscles are brought under control.

write dance looks at all gross and fine motor dev and is a realy good progamme

Hi Athena (waves) have you left Aberdeen now.