I apologize in advance if this is a little disjointed How does everyone here handle handwriting with their young kids? Josh is almost 8, and we're almost finished 2nd grade. We went through the first 3 Handwriting Without Tears books, and then he got really tired of them. His handwriting has improved quite a lot on its own over the last 6-9 months (which I've chalked up to simple maturity of his fine-motor skills), but he still often will revert back to making his letters/numbers "improperly". For example: the letter P. Instead of making one line down from top to bottom, and then making the curved part as a seperate line starting from the top... he'll make one line only, starting at the bottom, straight up, then continuing the line into a curve at the top. So it doesn't stop sharply at the top and looks very sloppy. He'll use the exact same process for the number 9, letter, letter B, etc. Another would be any letter where he should be making a line straight down, then immediately tracing that line back up to continue without lifting his pencil. Like r or b. Or where he should be making a circle and continuing with a line without lifting the pencil, like a or d. Instead he will draw the line from bottom to top, or make the circle "backwards" (curving under first instead of over) first... then lifts his pencil and adds on the additional bits/line. I was hoping to teach him at least the basics of cursive writing this coming school year, as I think it's important to be able to read cursive and at minimum sign his name (although I believe that cursive is a dying art that shouldn't be dying at all). I'm worried that his constantly making his printing incorrectly will hinder him learning cursive. Plus it takes longer to form the letters/numbers and it looks sloppier. He is capable of doing it correctly, but unless I'm right there constantly reminding him to do it correctly, he reverts back to his own way. Is this something you'd worry about continuing to try and correct? If so, any ideas on how to go about it? I'm wondering if I need to push the next HWT level even if he gets annoyed at the repitition. Thanks!
I was just like him when I was his age. Cursive however, helped my handwriting. I think in part cause the pencil never left the paper, so in my mind there was only one way to do it, which was the correct way....Maybe, go ahead and introduce cursive while still practicing print? Have you had him practice printing in ways other than paper and pencil? Salt, sugar or sand on a baking pan? Dry erase board? Chalk board? stick in the dirt? The fog on the mirror after a bath/shower? Have him paint his letters? We made a 'etchasketch' using a gallon zip lock bag and some paint that my son LOVES. Just pour in enough paint to cover the whole baggie when lying flat-seal off (some tape over the end might help too) then lay it flat and he can use his finger to 'write' it moves the paint around and you can see what he has written. This is how we practice his spelling words.
My youngest always printed "wrong". and the ps teachers didn't really care...his writing is fairly neat, but some of the letters (like e) he started backward and the looked a bit skewed. we brought him home for 4th grade...and they had only barely introduced cursive in 3rd. I hit cursive pretty hard and next year we are going to "require" cursive for anything handed in. It, like Sonita says, helped. I am not going to try to undo the printing issues, he has beautiful cursive and he likes it, esthetically and effeciency wise it appeals to his nature.
oh, and I agree on the dying art thing...my oldest whom we brought home in 5th grade never learned cursive, and has trouble reading anyway, won't even try with cursive. His handwriting was terrible and while we haven't worked on it, I let him type everything, it has improved a ton just with age. I do have him practice his signature...and I guess I should work on his reading cursive...he isn't a strong reader anyway and I am not sure, but I don't want, nor I am sure does he, to be embarrassed by not being able to read it. (that is kind of a convoluted sentence?!) anyhow... for one kiddo, we went straight to typing and that worked for him. for the other we did cursive and that worked for him.
I honestly don't have an answer, but you are not alone. My son doesn't do the same things as yours, but he writes VERY sloppy and he is 15. He is capable of writing very neatly--I have samples of his earlier writing. It is almost to the point of me making him re-do sloppy work. I alread take of points sometimes. That doesn't seem to help as long as he passes the class. I don't know where exactly to draw the line between expectation. Sometimes I feel I am too lenient and sometimes I feel as though I am too strict. Oh me....if only I could figure it out.
My son, is 8, doe the exact same thing. His ps teachers seemed to think that once he started cursive-it would be better for him because it has less strokes. I haven't started him yet...because he has such a hard time iwth writing. My husband and I have a small disagreement-he says handwriting doesnt relly matter as nowadays eerything is typed...I feel I want them to write-in case a giant alien shows up and our electricity is blown away forever (j/k)..... Anyway - this is apparently also really a common thing and inno way is a telltale sign for future handwriting issues. (ccording to my other son's physical therapist). Maybe he just wants to be a doctor-noone can read anything they write, right?
I have mirror twin boys...so one is a lefty and one is a righty. I really struggle with teaching my lefty, because I am not left-handed. My dh is so we specifically set time aside for dh to teach him how to print neatly I know i doesn't technically write his letters the correct way...but they are neat and legible. So I guess what I am saying is I think it's okay to find out how he prefers to write the letters, but insist on neatness. Hope that made some sense! Wow! I'm glad my kids want to learn cursive...especially if it is a dying art
It has taken him time to form this habit, so it will take at least twice as long to substitute a new habit of doing the same thing, as compared with forming a NEW behavior (cursive). I'm just guessing that he sees his way as "unique" and "more efficient" rather than "sloppy" or "incorrect". I think I'd go right on into cursive instead of trying to fix the printing....
All my kids write their letters the wrong way. I was super frustrated with it for a long time until I realized that their handwriting was very neat and legible. I finally let it go. I taught them the correct way to write the letters, the just found what works for them. When my ds started writing in cursive something in his head clicked and now he writes his letters the proper way. I think cursive is what helps kids learn the proper way.
I agree. If you can read it, it doesn't really matter IMHO. If it's realistically neat and legible, I don't care. As they age, their handwriting will change anyway. Little girls will start dotting their 'i's with hearts, putting smiley faces in their 'o's and add extra swirls LOL I know I write in a combo of print/cursive mostly. But it's readable, but by no means a good example of what is proper. LOL I have a hard time printing stuff for my son to copy right now, as in public school he is being taught D'neailan and it's been over 20 years since I had to write in D'nealian handwriting LOL And his school is VERY strict with the handwriting issue. He is still maked as can't write his name on his report card cause he doesn't form each letter properly and put all the feet on his letters. I'm sooooo gonna ease up on that next year at homeschool! Too much pressure for a 6 year old! AND he wants to learn cursive, so we may introduce it next year...
My son is a bottom-up writer too! I'm kind of relieved that he isn't the only one. I've given up on trying to change it. I don't think anything short of drill seargant methods would work anyway, and I'm not up to that nor do I think it is THAT important. I'm just hoping his cursive will be legible!
I was actually really amazed to see what a big issue this was. In my family, legibility was emphasized, I cant remember being taught any 1 way to write, I know I hated cursive with a passion and I barely had to do any! I had to do one booklet/workbook on Cursive when I was 8. I will never forget it! Probably took me about a month to do it at 3 pgs a day. I had neat print though, and still do. Its legible anyway. I still cant do cursive very well. *shrug* I only fret about it when I have to sign my name, but then, many kids in my generation from HS or PS cant do cursive! Since we all have such terrible handwriting, we dont feel bad.. hn, I dont think this will make parents feel bad, but its my honest experience.... 3 of my younger brothers have terrible handwriting, my parents made them drill better handwriting but its not such a problem anymore. It just has to be legible.
So question for everyone-does your state teach cursive? If so when? Everyone I know in GA from the time I was in school til today learned it in 3rd grade....
Thanks everyone! I don't feel so alone in this now LOL I have no idea when the public schools here teach cursive, I'm assuming they still do. I learned in public school in this area in 2nd grade.
