DD can draw but not write. I’m perplexed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, my 4.5 year old can draw better than she can write. If I draw a butterfly, she can imitate. However, if I were to write H or G or anything that’s not A, she can’t imitate to write that. I have seen her draw different things but she struggles with the letters.

Cognitively those are two very different skills. One is developmentally appropriate at 4.5, and the other isn't.

Is she 4.5 going to kindergarten this fall, or next?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dysgraphia. This is my daughter. Finally got it addressed in grade 3. Took a year, no joke. She draws AMAZINGLY, but the automaticity of writing didn't kick in.

PS I just now re-read that your child is only 4.5. So this isn't a dysgraphia diagnosis. Give it some mroe time, but you might make sure she's learning the automaticity by repeating, repeating, repeating the hand motions. This will help her not have to think abut how to write a letter every time she sits down to write.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dysgraphia. This is my daughter. Finally got it addressed in grade 3. Took a year, no joke. She draws AMAZINGLY, but the automaticity of writing didn't kick in.

PS I just now re-read that your child is only 4.5. So this isn't a dysgraphia diagnosis. Give it some mroe time, but you might make sure she's learning the automaticity by repeating, repeating, repeating the hand motions. This will help her not have to think abut how to write a letter every time she sits down to write.

OP here. Thanks! I have been wondering if she has dysgraphia. She has a hard time holding her pencil/crayon the right way, and she’s been going to preschool forever. I know it’s something the teacher is helping her and another thing I noticed too is the weird spacing. I actually have not heard of dysgraphia until I googled some of the issues she’s having. I mentioned this to my son’s OT (from the county) and she said when the county opens up, she can get an evaluation from Child Find.

She is going to kindergarten in 2021 so another year of preschool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dysgraphia. This is my daughter. Finally got it addressed in grade 3. Took a year, no joke. She draws AMAZINGLY, but the automaticity of writing didn't kick in.

PS I just now re-read that your child is only 4.5. So this isn't a dysgraphia diagnosis. Give it some mroe time, but you might make sure she's learning the automaticity by repeating, repeating, repeating the hand motions. This will help her not have to think abut how to write a letter every time she sits down to write.

OP here. Thanks! I have been wondering if she has dysgraphia. She has a hard time holding her pencil/crayon the right way, and she’s been going to preschool forever. I know it’s something the teacher is helping her and another thing I noticed too is the weird spacing. I actually have not heard of dysgraphia until I googled some of the issues she’s having. I mentioned this to my son’s OT (from the county) and she said when the county opens up, she can get an evaluation from Child Find.

She is going to kindergarten in 2021 so another year of preschool.

It’s way too early to even think about dysgraphia.

Please stop testing her at home and trying to teach her to draw letters. Let her draw what she wants. Let her play play doh (great for hand strengthening!) and read to her, a lot. Then read some more. Relax and let her be the little kid that she is.

—preschool teacher