How important is knowing how to write the alphabet for kindergarten?

[Anonymous]

We're in the same situation as this PP. DD started "writing" at age 3 and forms all the letters legibly but incorrectly. Since we never taught her writing it started to be an issue in K and 1st grade because she was so used to writing fast the "wrong" way that it was hard to teach her the "right" way. Her brother never cared about writing until he was in K when it was taught and he actually has better writing than her even though he's two year's younger and started writing later.

So I guess the advice I'd give is that if she's already starting to write a lot but not really doing it correctly I would correct. If she's not really interested in learning lowercase letters it really won't matter in K and she'll catch up to everyone else in about 5 minutes.

Anonymous wrote:I sort of agree.. My DD at 3 was very interested in writing (one of those early readers so writing came with it) but letter formation was not being taught yet at school and we were just sort of letting her do her own thing since she was little. By the time it was taught she already "knew" how to do it and never learned the correct way. While she has always an advanced student, it took years before her handwriting became decent.

Of course, tons of kids in large K classes emerge with fine handwriting..

[Anonymous]

My son is in kindergarten at a well regarded school and his letter formation is terrible (starts at the bottom, forms the same letter different ways, etc.). He is a bright kid and pays attention, so I conclude that aren't teaching or emphasizing it, and it's already April of kindergarten. I plan to get the Handwriting Without Tears workbook and practice with him this summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only way to ensure that your child learns to form letters correctly is to spend one on one time teaching your child. Kinder teachers can't sit next to every kid and make sure each child starts letters at the top, uses proper spacing (ex. Y, p, g ) goes below the line, etc. it is worth buying a Handwriting Without Tears workbook,kumon book, or another handwriting book and have your child practice for 5 min. a day. You have to sit next to your child to make sure the letters are formed properly. Once a kid learns to form letters incorrectly it is really hard to undo. By first grade has printing habits are ingrained.

My 4th grader has atrocious handwriting. We are trying to fix it now. I wish I had focused a little more on it in kindergarten.

[Anonymous]

MCPS K teacher here (at a DCUM "top elementary school"--which I find comical as I think there are MANY fantastic MCPS schools beyond the affluent neighborhoods, but I'll save that for a different post)...Poster 22:01 gives some great ideas! I agree that there will be many children who come in without knowing all of their letters. Many of these are children who have had amazing preschool experiences (mostly play based) and are more than ready for kindergarten. They will work on it. I agree about not pushing unless your DD is interested. More importantly, just encourage her to "write"...however that may look for her at her level. One more idea to add to the suggestions from the 22:01 poster, you can write lower case letters in chalk on the sidewalk (or chalkboard easel) and have her "trace" them with a wet paintbrush so that she "washes away" the chalk.

[Anonymous]

My son's OT will be teaching him cursive during the summer before 3rd grade.

For kids with fine motor skills, cursive is easier for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only way to ensure that your child learns to form letters correctly is to spend one on one time teaching your child. Kinder teachers can't sit next to every kid and make sure each child starts letters at the top, uses proper spacing (ex. Y, p, g ) goes below the line, etc. it is worth buying a Handwriting Without Tears workbook,kumon book, or another handwriting book and have your child practice for 5 min. a day. You have to sit next to your child to make sure the letters are formed properly. Once a kid learns to form letters incorrectly it is really hard to undo. By first grade has printing habits are ingrained.

I agree with this. I volunteer quite at bit in my kid's K classroom, and it is impossible for the teacher to spend much time on handwriting with each kid. The kids who did not come into K writing lessons, are at a disadvantage, IMO.

Agree to just get a Kumon workbook and do a page or two a day. Low pressure. Give stickers if you want. Just get her to practice a little bit each day. It will be worth it, for sure, and you've got nothing to lose.