4 yo writings
Jenny E.
Hello all,
I am posting this to two different lists because I know that not all the same people are on both lists....but I also know that a few are. Sorry to those that are seeing this more than once.
My 4 yo boy has, within the last month or so, become VERY interested in how things are spelled and writing them out. My question is about him making the letters "properly." Let me explain the situation:
Today he says "Mom, how do you spell 'love mom'?" So I say the name of each letter and he writes it. If he is not sure of the shape of the letter, I show it to him and he copies it. As I am watching him do this over the last month I know that he is not making the letters properly (and I really hate to use that term, but don't know how else to explain it.) The end result is a shape that looks like the letter it is supposed to represent, but the steps to get there are different. For example: a letter V is made with both sides coming up from the bottom, an O is made from the bottom and curving around to the right.
I have not tried to correct him or instruct him at all. I don't want to make it difficult and frustrating for him and I realize he is only 4. My question I guess is really when should I? I know that making the shapes in a certain way is what helps penmanship to flow. Could I gently model this for him some how? If I let it go too long is it going to be more difficult as he gets older?
It may seem silly that I am asking this about my 4 yo when I have a 7 yo, but my approach to penmanship was much different with my 7yo and I don't wish to repeat those mistakes.
Thanks so much!
Jen :o)
Mom to Beck (7) and Dane (4)
I am posting this to two different lists because I know that not all the same people are on both lists....but I also know that a few are. Sorry to those that are seeing this more than once.
My 4 yo boy has, within the last month or so, become VERY interested in how things are spelled and writing them out. My question is about him making the letters "properly." Let me explain the situation:
Today he says "Mom, how do you spell 'love mom'?" So I say the name of each letter and he writes it. If he is not sure of the shape of the letter, I show it to him and he copies it. As I am watching him do this over the last month I know that he is not making the letters properly (and I really hate to use that term, but don't know how else to explain it.) The end result is a shape that looks like the letter it is supposed to represent, but the steps to get there are different. For example: a letter V is made with both sides coming up from the bottom, an O is made from the bottom and curving around to the right.
I have not tried to correct him or instruct him at all. I don't want to make it difficult and frustrating for him and I realize he is only 4. My question I guess is really when should I? I know that making the shapes in a certain way is what helps penmanship to flow. Could I gently model this for him some how? If I let it go too long is it going to be more difficult as he gets older?
It may seem silly that I am asking this about my 4 yo when I have a 7 yo, but my approach to penmanship was much different with my 7yo and I don't wish to repeat those mistakes.
Thanks so much!
Jen :o)
Mom to Beck (7) and Dane (4)
[email protected]
In a message dated 7/23/2003 5:53:12 PM Mountain Daylight Time,
mom2jrjedis@... writes:
letter and they don't involve the very same strokes!
I'd just let it go. He'll figure out better ways as time goes on.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
mom2jrjedis@... writes:
> I have not tried to correct him or instruct him at all. I don't want toI know from doing calligraphy though that there are several ways to make each
> make it difficult and frustrating for him and I realize he is only 4. My
> question I guess is really when should I? I know that making the shapes in a
> certain way is what helps penmanship to flow.
letter and they don't involve the very same strokes!
I'd just let it go. He'll figure out better ways as time goes on.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Tammy Thompson
My 8yo makes a lot of her letters completely opposite of the way I do it.. She's comfortable with it, so I don't see any reason to have her change it. I feel that maybe it would be harmful for me to tell her she isn't doing it right, when actually, it IS right for her.
hope that helps.
-Tammy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>>>>>>>The end result is a shape that looks like the letter it is supposed to represent, but the steps to get there are different. <<<<<<<<The way I see it, the steps to get anywhere are different for everyone. If the result is the same, why change it?
>>>>>>>>>My question I guess is really when should I? <<<<<<<<I wouldn't. Unless he requests it.
hope that helps.
-Tammy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 7/23/03 4:53:09 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
mom2jrjedis@... writes:
I am way behind in posts so if someone else already said this, sorry. I would
leave it alone. Even if he never writes his letters "properly", as long as
they are legible, does it matter? I was a kid obsessed with penmenship, but it
was also an actual subject that was graded on my report card. But I always
loved Caligraphy. My dad started buying me sets when I was maybe 7 and I struggled
to teach myself Caligraphic letters as opposed to standard cursive. All in
all, I write very uniquely now, at least that is what people say...but some of
my letters (while writing cursive) I intentionally write in the reverse. Such
as an "R", my signature is very odd in that I write my "R" beginning at the end
and work backwards. But I do know this, I have yet to meet anyone who can
even come close copying it. I write several letters this way just because for me,
they flow more naturally.
Good luck and remember this, he probably already writes more legibly than
most physicians!!!
XOXOXO
Rhonda
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
mom2jrjedis@... writes:
> I have not tried to correct him or instruct him at all. I don't want toHi Jen and everyone else...
> make it difficult and frustrating for him and I realize he is only 4. My
> question I guess is really when should I? I know that making the shapes in a
> certain way is what helps penmanship to flow. Could I gently model this for him
> some how? If I let it go too long is it going to be more difficult as he
> gets older?
>
I am way behind in posts so if someone else already said this, sorry. I would
leave it alone. Even if he never writes his letters "properly", as long as
they are legible, does it matter? I was a kid obsessed with penmenship, but it
was also an actual subject that was graded on my report card. But I always
loved Caligraphy. My dad started buying me sets when I was maybe 7 and I struggled
to teach myself Caligraphic letters as opposed to standard cursive. All in
all, I write very uniquely now, at least that is what people say...but some of
my letters (while writing cursive) I intentionally write in the reverse. Such
as an "R", my signature is very odd in that I write my "R" beginning at the end
and work backwards. But I do know this, I have yet to meet anyone who can
even come close copying it. I write several letters this way just because for me,
they flow more naturally.
Good luck and remember this, he probably already writes more legibly than
most physicians!!!
XOXOXO
Rhonda
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 7/23/2003 6:53:20 PM Central Daylight Time,
mom2jrjedis@... writes:
he first started writing his name, Will, it looked like this. | | | | i | |
All of those lines were started at the bottom. Now he makes regular w's,
but he still draws his o's from the wrong direction (wrong for perfect
penmanship).
There were a couple of times when someone wouldn't recognize what he wrote,
and he realized it was because they didn't understand the letters. So he took
to asking me if "they" would know that was a G or whatever. I would always
tell the truth.
His handwriting is still not neat or tidy. He holds his pencil with all four
fingers on it in a row, thumb below. We've talked about that a little, but
he doesn't care. He thinks he invented that way to hold a pencil--it's "his"
way. I think it's okay that he doesn't just roll over when someone says
"you're doing it wrong". (which I don't say!)
I think the whole point is that if what he is writing is understood, then he
did it right. Penmanship is not the goal. Communication is.
Tuck
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
mom2jrjedis@... writes:
> I have not tried to correct him or instruct him at all. I don't want toNot unless he asks. My son makes all his letters in non-standard ways. When
> make it difficult and frustrating for him and I realize he is only 4. My
> question I guess is really when should I?
he first started writing his name, Will, it looked like this. | | | | i | |
All of those lines were started at the bottom. Now he makes regular w's,
but he still draws his o's from the wrong direction (wrong for perfect
penmanship).
There were a couple of times when someone wouldn't recognize what he wrote,
and he realized it was because they didn't understand the letters. So he took
to asking me if "they" would know that was a G or whatever. I would always
tell the truth.
His handwriting is still not neat or tidy. He holds his pencil with all four
fingers on it in a row, thumb below. We've talked about that a little, but
he doesn't care. He thinks he invented that way to hold a pencil--it's "his"
way. I think it's okay that he doesn't just roll over when someone says
"you're doing it wrong". (which I don't say!)
I think the whole point is that if what he is writing is understood, then he
did it right. Penmanship is not the goal. Communication is.
Tuck
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Nancy Wooton
on 7/23/03 11:46 PM, rjhill241@... at rjhill241@... wrote:
doesn't matter much. If you tried to write from bottom to top with a quill
or metal ink nib, you'd spatter ink up your paper. With an italic
calligraphy pen, the nib is flattened so downward strokes are thicker than
horizontal ones; o's have to be drawn in two strokes, which most people
don't do with modern pens.
Both my dh and son start at the bottom and circle clockwise - is it genetic?
:-)
Nancy (with the last name Wooton, how one draws o's is important <g>)
> Even if he never writes his letters "properly", as long asWith pencils and modern pens, the direction one travels in drawing a letter
> they are legible, does it matter? I was a kid obsessed with penmenship, but it
> was also an actual subject that was graded on my report card. But I always
> loved Caligraphy.
doesn't matter much. If you tried to write from bottom to top with a quill
or metal ink nib, you'd spatter ink up your paper. With an italic
calligraphy pen, the nib is flattened so downward strokes are thicker than
horizontal ones; o's have to be drawn in two strokes, which most people
don't do with modern pens.
Both my dh and son start at the bottom and circle clockwise - is it genetic?
:-)
Nancy (with the last name Wooton, how one draws o's is important <g>)
[email protected]
In a message dated 7/24/03 6:56:56 AM, Tuckervill@... writes:
<< he still draws his o's from the wrong direction (wrong for perfect
penmanship). >>
Marty does too, and he's a lefty.
I tried to convince my kids that the direction their pencil went on "c" and
"o" would help them write faster in the future, but they don't care. I just
said "keep it in mind in case it will help some day," and then we were all happy.
Sandra
<< he still draws his o's from the wrong direction (wrong for perfect
penmanship). >>
Marty does too, and he's a lefty.
I tried to convince my kids that the direction their pencil went on "c" and
"o" would help them write faster in the future, but they don't care. I just
said "keep it in mind in case it will help some day," and then we were all happy.
Sandra
[email protected]
In a message dated 7/24/03 8:29:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
ikonstitcher@... writes:
writes this way and my mom was always concerned about how we held our pen or
pencil according to penmanship tecniques. Oddly, my sister holds everything the
"right" way and has horrible, sometimes barely legible writing and I who, "does
it my way" have had people ask me to write invitations for their weddings. Not
tootin my horn ;-), just making the point that the right way should be
whatever makes it easy to the writer and even better when it looks good.
Rhonda
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
ikonstitcher@... writes:
> Both my dh and son start at the bottom and circle clockwise - is itHey Nancy!!! I don't know if it is genetic, but no one else in my family
> genetic?
> :-)
>
> Nancy (with the last name Wooton, how one draws o's is important <g>)
>
>
writes this way and my mom was always concerned about how we held our pen or
pencil according to penmanship tecniques. Oddly, my sister holds everything the
"right" way and has horrible, sometimes barely legible writing and I who, "does
it my way" have had people ask me to write invitations for their weddings. Not
tootin my horn ;-), just making the point that the right way should be
whatever makes it easy to the writer and even better when it looks good.
Rhonda
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 7/24/2003 11:03:13 AM Central Daylight Time,
SandraDodd@... writes:
baseball--bats left, throws right. He writes with his right hand, but eats with his
left. Casts a fishing rod with his right, swings a golf club left.
He started swinging a bat at less-than-2, lefty, and I always thought he
would switch some day, and settle on one side or the other. He never has. He'll
be 10 in November.
It's not like he can do anything with either hand. He has specific tasks
that he does with specific hands. I don't know if that's considered ambidextrous,
but sometimes I have to tell his coaches that he is ambi or they try to force
him one way or the other.
Tuck
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
SandraDodd@... writes:
> << he still draws his o's from the wrong direction (wrong for perfectWill switches hands for lots of things. The most obvious area is
> penmanship). >>
>
> Marty does too, and he's a lefty.
>
baseball--bats left, throws right. He writes with his right hand, but eats with his
left. Casts a fishing rod with his right, swings a golf club left.
He started swinging a bat at less-than-2, lefty, and I always thought he
would switch some day, and settle on one side or the other. He never has. He'll
be 10 in November.
It's not like he can do anything with either hand. He has specific tasks
that he does with specific hands. I don't know if that's considered ambidextrous,
but sometimes I have to tell his coaches that he is ambi or they try to force
him one way or the other.
Tuck
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Jenny E.
Thanks to all that responded to this. I think I was having a temporary insanity moment of panic and doubt. I'm saving all the replies I got....just in case I panic again. And as far as me saying "I know the letters need to be made a certain way"...well...I guess I don't know. Must have been some left over school tape playing in my head.
Thanks again,
Jen :o)
Mom to Beck (7) and Dane (4)
Thanks again,
Jen :o)
Mom to Beck (7) and Dane (4)
Jenny E.
From: <SandraDodd@...>
Jen :o)
Mom to Beck (7) and Dane (4)
> I tried to convince my kids that the direction their pencil went on "c" andI like this and if he continues the way he does now when he is older...I will probably toss this out there for him to do with what he pleases.
> "o" would help them write faster in the future, but they don't care. I just
> said "keep it in mind in case it will help some day," and then we were all happy.
Jen :o)
Mom to Beck (7) and Dane (4)
Jenny E.
From: <Tuckervill@...>
From: "Nancy Wooton"
This was very interesting and I had never really thought about it that way.
Jen
> Penmanship is not the goal. Communication is.Thank you for this, Tuck. I really need to keep this in mind.
From: "Nancy Wooton"
> With pencils and modern pens, the direction one travels in drawing a letterNancy,
> doesn't matter much. If you tried to write from bottom to top with a quill
> or metal ink nib, you'd spatter ink up your paper. With an italic
> calligraphy pen, the nib is flattened so downward strokes are thicker than
> horizontal ones; o's have to be drawn in two strokes, which most people
> don't do with modern pens.
>
This was very interesting and I had never really thought about it that way.
Jen
Pamela Sorooshian
On Thursday, July 24, 2003, at 10:15 AM, Jenny E. wrote:
all! <G>
-pam
> Must have been some left over school tape playing in my head.Not surprising that we have those - that WAS the point of school, after
all! <G>
-pam