4yr old daughter got b'day cards signed by her friends - I'm worried that she can't..

Red_Panda_2

My eldest was really late in writing, he has beautiful hand writing now and is doing very well in school.

I used to put a pen in his hand and hold his hand to write his name in cards which looked very authentic, so just because they have signed the cards all may not be what it seems!!

Mics_chick

Red_Panda wrote: »

My eldest was really late in writing, he has beautiful hand writing now and is doing very well in school.

I used to put a pen in his hand and hold his hand to write his name in cards which looked very authentic, so just because they have signed the cards all may not be what it seems!!

A very good point :T

CharleneUK

I felt the same when my daughter started getting cards through.

But then I thought "well, what are the chances of her being 10 and not being able to write her name!?" Lo and behold, out of nowhere she wrote her name and now does this effortlessly! (she's 5 on saturday)

She would just write her name however she perceived it should look, or with a few correct letters with shapes in between lol, I thought it was sweet! Then i'd just write her name beside it myself.

It's natural to feel how you're feeling, but she'll be fine

Mics_chick

scubaleopard wrote: »

I agree with all the replies on here. Whatever you do dont get stressed-- your little one will see her first attempts at new tasks as a frightening one and 1 which makes Mummy anxious. All children develop at a different rate and follow different learning paths. She is probably miles further on maybe with physical skills than her playmates.

She may have a better imagination.

She may play really well independently.

She may loving at books on her own and with you, making up stories from the pictures.

It may be a good idea to play some games with materials to help with name writing.

This is just a few ideas.
Children find small motor control activities the hardest so start with things like

A washing up bottle filled with water and you chalk her name on the tarmac or paving slabs ( It is really important to form the letters properly) and then she could try and squirt the water over the letters.

A bucket of water and a paintbrush is fun-- you write her name with chalk and she paints over the chalk with her paintbrush.

Big pieces of paper you paint her name in yellow and she paints over the top. You could say for example for an a " we go around like a c then up and down and finish with a flick"( Just try and say the sounds the letters make nit their names as you talk to her)
She could paint over the yelow with her favourite colour.

The same can be achieved with felt tips pens.

Trays of rice is good so that she can just write the letter in the rice and not always associate writing with pencil and paper.

Making letters out of plasticine or playdough and putting them in the right order for her name will help her see the pattern.

Making dough lettters and mounting them on a dough base then painting the letters is a real fun way of making a door plaque with her name on. If this is baked it could be hung up which will make her very proud.

Writin on a mirror with lipstick is great fun and seems a bit naughty so may encourage her to have a go.

Writing letters to nanny or a favourite auntie is lovely. Dont worry if its just a picture or a scribble She will soon love getting letters back. Perhaps to begin with you could just encourage her to write the first letter in her name with lots of kisses. She will soon be wanting to show off her newly learnt skills to everyone.

Good luck but just make it fun and a new adventure. Nothing to be worried about.



Dot to dot activities in all the books you see will help because although not necessarily the actual letters in her name it all helps with motor control

Some fantastic ideas there :T :T :T scubaleopard

You're right about her having other skills though - she had always played well on her own (people used to remark on it from when she could sit up ), she has a very good imagination (she's always dressing up at pre-school and walking round telling stories to herself - the nursery leader thinks she going to be an actor ) and she loves books whether being read to or looking at by herself. She's also a good artist we think - she will put a cuddly rabbit or Barbie's horse infront of her and try and draw it - they are still "baby" pictures but well-observed for her age

Like I said I didn't want to put any pressure on her at all but I think she'll enjoy all the activities you've suggested SL without realising what I'm trying to do hopefully

Mics_chick

I feel really reassured that all of you have a similar opinion it makes me feel much better about it

Once again all you lovely peeps have come to my rescue :T :T :T
Hurray for MSE!!! :j :j :j

Chrisca50

I have no advice, others have given you plenty to be going on with, but you must be finding it very difficult having one child that is so advanced so young and one that you feel isn't keeping up with kiddies of her own age. I feel for you

Nicki

I agree that a lot of the "signatures" may be hand over hand, so don't panic.

Unless you have a reason to suspect there is a problem, I would be inclined to work on practising a pencil grip, and leave the rest alone. The child needs to be able to hold the pencil in a proper tripod grip, rather than palming it, before they can master writing. The easiest way to do this is by always giving the child very very short pencils and crayons to write and draw with (by breaking them into short lengths and sharpening them) and chunky ones are also easier. My DS who was always very literate and articulate didn't develop a proper grip until he was nearly 6, with the result that even now he writes more slowly and with more difficulty than others. His spelling and punctuation is above average for his age but he produces half the quantity of his peers, yet can speak his ideas about the task freely. Although we raised the problem of the pencil grip repeatedly at school, we only really solved the problem by getting advice from an OT friend and making him practise for 10 mins a day over the school holidays.

itzmee

My 4 year old son can write his name really well but it does only have 4 letters in it! We knows the letters in his name and practised writing them. Having said that he can't say his name properly as he can't pronounce his 'L' sounds. My older son didn't learn to write until he started school but his speech was excellent. Kids develop at different rates but they'll all get there

Mics_chick

itzmee wrote: »

My 4 year old son can write his name really well but it does only have 4 letters in it! We knows the letters in his name and practised writing them. Having said that he can't say his name properly as he can't pronounce his 'L' sounds. My older son didn't learn to write until he started school but his speech was excellent. Kids develop at different rates but they'll all get there

My dd's name is only 4 letters long too

pingua

It could have been a 'friend' - older brother /sister/neighbour writting it for her - just a thought as my two have done this for others before or the eldest for the younger. ifswim.

Other than that honestly do not worry. Its a bit like them walking and by the time they get to the age of 3 it does not matter what age they 'took their first steps'.You have no idea that little ben was not walking till he was 2.5. With writting and most things 'school' related it follows the same. So by the time they are 7 or 8 who cares what age they 'started' writting. Reading is another one. By the time they are in year 2 some will still be on the first stage books others may be reading 'novels' but hay a few years down the line they will have all caught up with each other.

Do not stress over this especially at such a young age - it really will not do you any good!!