Preschool

I started writing exercises with my 4-yr-old this year, and got out a Discovery Toys writing tool that I like to see how well he could control his movements.  I've been going slow with him because he's a very active boy and doesn't have a long attention span when it's time to sit and work!

The writing exercise was about moving across the page from left to right following a line that got fainter and fainter until it was no longer there and he had to create the line himself.  It starts with a straight line left to right, then zig-zag, then rounded, then loops, mimicking the motion various alphabetic letters may make.

It always amazes me how foreign it is to hold a pencil correctly.  For some reason I just assumed it was natural.  I don't remember having to be taught, and I've heard many comments from educators in the classes I have taken talk about pencil grip and how it is deteriorating.  I have been told by child development experts that pencil grip is refined by large motor skills, especially those that work the shoulders, which is harder and harder to accommodate.

He did very well on the simpler shapes, especially well with the straight line.  Some of the curvier shapes were tricky.  However, I could see a marked improvement just from start to finish.  A few more days and he'll be good at this as well!  He is super quick to pick up new skills.

I've been also working on getting him to say "I" instead of "my".  That is definitely harder.  His speech habits are just that, habits.  And habits are VERY hard to break!  I have noticed when "I" appears in one of our circle songs, though, he has no problem saying it in the song, so it's just a matter of being consistent.

I'm nothing if not consistent!  Well, most of the time...  ;-)