I feel like I have to sacrifice one for the other, so I'd appreciate thoughts. If I ask for copywork from my children in their neatest hand, I have no complaints. Both do an excellent job. If it's anything requiring more thought (journal, phonics sheet, even a math worksheet), there is a definite sloppy tendency. Left on her own, dd will write really intricate sentences. But again, it's not neat. I asked her to recopy something she had dictated to me today, and imho it was very long for a 7yo (4 paragraphs). She gave me 110%, but neatness certainly suffered and I didn't have the heart to pick apart every single word. On Monday, I'll have her do corrections but it still won't be up to her very best copywork. Ds is no better- if I have him dictate, I get great sentences. If I was to have him write it out as he's thinking, it would be sloppy and similar to this, "I like pie." (note: yes he wrote that. he was being funny but that is very similar to what I'll get if I require him to write it all out while he's still creating). I feel like right now my choice is one or the other, because my kids REALLY have to concentrate on each individually. If I see glaring issues, I address those immediately (b/d confusion for dd, ds's letters floating above the line), but I'm trying not to stifle while still guiding them. At some point will these converge, or am I going to have to make some choices? I'm thinking of instituting more copywork, maybe that will help? ugh, I have this mental image of the halls in our old ps... super neat little paragraphs written by first graders... they looked lovely but there was zero depth. I DON'T want that.
Oh, go for the creativity!! IMO, penmanship is so easily corrected, with time and maturity. I don't know any adults who still write like little kids. Creativity on the other hand, is so easily crushed when we nitpick about little things. I personally have never looked at a person's handwriting and said, "oh, this is just horrible. I just will not finish reading this amazingly touching birthday card because the penmanship is just awful". LOL If they can give you depth and meaning, and good sentence structure, then you're doing great!!
I agree, go with the creativity. Ems has decent penmanship when she is working on assigned work. Like me, when I am being creative, I am not focusing on neatness as much as what I am writing. Ems can always go back and rewrite the work after she has used her creativity.
When they are young I would keep handwriting/copywork as handwriting/copywork and not expect it to show up in other subjects. When handwriting/copywork comes easier to them I would start to expect it to show up in other subjects. Meanwhile I would point out glaring things like reversals or an incorrect grip.
I vote creativity as well, but if you feel they are not doing their best work, it is ok to say "you did wonderful. I know you can write pretier than that, lets work on that tomorrow"
