DD can draw but not write. I’m perplexed

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

OP, I would not stress about this too much. I'm no expert, but sounds like her eye hand coordination is fine at this point if she can draw by imitation. If you're still worried, try breaking down the letters by shape and encourace her to draw the shapes and lines that make the letters. But seriously, don't stress.

[Anonymous]

Have her trace letters, first.

[Anonymous]

Can she identify letters? As in, does she know how to spell her name using magnet letters? Or scrabble tile letters? Can she tell you the right letters in her name and as you write them as she prompts you, can she tell if you are writing the correct letter? Does she point out letters when you are reading "look, that's the B like in my name!"

I bet she can do all or most of these things.

IF YES then I wouldn't worry now. If no, then keep an eye out for challenges with learning to read and if this continues when she is 5 years of age, you can have a full workup for learning disabilities like dyslexia. But, probably, she is just fine, writing letters is HARD!

[Anonymous]

As an early child development expert, i would strongly encourage you to not get upset over skills your child is not supposed to master until age 6 earliest. She will get there when it is developmentally appropriate.

[Anonymous]

PP above - talkiong about identifying vs. writing letters (writing comes way later than knowing the difference and can point out an A vs a C vs a L)

also look at this:

https://www.readingrockets.org/looking-at-writing/pre-k-writing-sample-2

And this:
about at which ages a typical child can make specific shapes using a crayon/marker. IF a child cannot develipnentally make a shape, they have a hard time (of course) making the letter that includes that shape. Circle are made after lines (hence the potato head and little sticks for legs they draw first), so L and O are easier than an X (poor Xavier!)

https://www.continued.com/early-childhood-education/ask-the-experts/what-shapes-do-children-need-22714

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As an early child development expert, i would strongly encourage you to not get upset over skills your child is not supposed to master until age 6 earliest. She will get there when it is developmentally appropriate.

YES!

[Anonymous]

Look for a model alphabet that has arrows and numbers to show how the lines should be drawn. There are also iPad apps that walk kids through the proper order and direction of lines in each letter.

[Anonymous]

She is doing great, and forcing it early can chase bad habits that are hard (read:expensive therapy) to fix. She is doing great!

[Anonymous]

Have her trace letters with her fingers. I love the Montessori sand-paper letters.

[Anonymous]

Non-expert PP here. Thank you actual experts for chiming in!

[Anonymous]

Totally normal and probably something she practices and makes sense to her because she knows what it looks like.

Not sure why you expect your 4 year old to be able to write letters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can she identify letters? As in, does she know how to spell her name using magnet letters? Or scrabble tile letters? Can she tell you the right letters in her name and as you write them as she prompts you, can she tell if you are writing the correct letter? Does she point out letters when you are reading "look, that's the B like in my name!"

I bet she can do all or most of these things.

IF YES then I wouldn't worry now. If no, then keep an eye out for challenges with learning to read and if this continues when she is 5 years of age, you can have a full workup for learning disabilities like dyslexia. But, probably, she is just fine, writing letters is HARD!

OP here. Yes, she can identify letters and she can write her name. But that’s something they practiced extensively at school.

I’m not stressed about it as in it’s keeping me up awake at night. I am just wondering if she is slow because some of her peers can write letters. I’m also not expecting her to do that but when I write H and ask her to imitate, she can’t. She also has a hard time differentiating M and N.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can she identify letters? As in, does she know how to spell her name using magnet letters? Or scrabble tile letters? Can she tell you the right letters in her name and as you write them as she prompts you, can she tell if you are writing the correct letter? Does she point out letters when you are reading "look, that's the B like in my name!"

I bet she can do all or most of these things.

IF YES then I wouldn't worry now. If no, then keep an eye out for challenges with learning to read and if this continues when she is 5 years of age, you can have a full workup for learning disabilities like dyslexia. But, probably, she is just fine, writing letters is HARD!

OP here. Yes, she can identify letters and she can write her name. But that’s something they practiced extensively at school.

I’m not stressed about it as in it’s keeping me up awake at night. I am just wondering if she is slow because some of her peers can write letters. I’m also not expecting her to do that but when I write H and ask her to imitate, she can’t. She also has a hard time differentiating M and N.

All of this is totally normal, each kid develops differently. Writing letters is a higher order skill for that age. In fact, some kids may struggle with writing in elementary school as well until full mastery with academic teaching in a classroom setting where repetition with peers and instructor occurs regularly. Of course you are free to do any activity with your child but i would not insist on this activity in this case. Best wishes

[Anonymous]

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.