There are lots of things you can do to help him develop fine motor skills that do not involve writing. There is zero reason for you to be focused on getting him to write at age 3. It is very normal for him not to want to spend much time learning letters right now.

If you notice issues in other areas, ask your doctor to take a look at his fine motor skills.

If not, let it go.

Also look for ways to make fine motor things fun and not about rote learning. Play with small things, make necklaces with beads, etc. All of these things are pre-literacy skills. Look up some Pinterest activities, and have fun.

My kid completely refused to write, color, draw or even scribble until he was almost 5. The preschool teachers just accepted it as an odd quirk. Now he is 6.5 and writes so well that his teacher complimented it! Get him some little alphabet magnets that he can move around on the fridge. My kid spelled out "Lunch time evry wun" when he just turned 4 and surprised us all.

Work on hand muscles in other ways: manipulating Play-Doh, using safety scissors, painting pictures, stringing Cheerios on string, picking up objects with tongs or plastic tweezers (lots of pre-K games have these types of tools/activities), doing crafts with glue sticks or squeezing school glue, making shapes and letters with pipe cleaners etc.

Anonymous wrote:It's not developmentally appropriate for a 3-year-old to write letters.

This this this! Preschool teacher here. Three year olds are still developing their ability to use the small muscles of the hands in refined ways that enable writing. I do no instruction on writing, pencil grip, etc at that age. I provide writing implements and let them make marks and draw, paint, etc.

Support their fine motor development by giving them activities that strengthen their fingers and hands: squeezing play dough, opening clothespins, connecting plastic chain links, connecting lego duplex pieces. This is my pre-writing focus.

As the child develops interest and fine motor skill, he will begin attempting letters. Children usually focus on ”their letter”, the first letter in their name. Some three year olds do write their first or several letters in their name, but the ones that don’t yet do it are not behind.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Very normal. You might want to try the Kumon First book of tracing.

Why? Other than teaching your kid that learning is boring and to be resisted, and setting up bad habits, what is the purpose of this book?

It has mazes and pictures the child can trace. My daughter liked it, but if your child doesn't like that sort of thing, then by all means do not buy it

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Developmentally the things 3 year olds should be able to draw are circles. Whole letters aren't expected until later.

OP here. He’s been able to draw circles in the dirt since he was two. Does that count?

Yes, he's fine.

It's not developmentally appropriate for a 3-year-old to write letters.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Developmentally the things 3 year olds should be able to draw are circles. Whole letters aren't expected until later.

OP here. He’s been able to draw circles in the dirt since he was two. Does that count?

Yes. There is nothing wrong with starting with huge writing.`

https://www.amazon.com/Trace-Pre-Cursive-Practice-Thinking-Kids/dp/1483851958
I use this with my son. I photocopied the easiest pages.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RclxBdiuvOM
alligator grip

Get a textured alphabet and he can trace with a finger. Make sure you are showing him the correct starting position and directions etc. or else he will have to unlearn everything.

Agree with the duplo, playdoh etc. If he hates it and it is advanced for his age (and it is) don't do it. Give him 6 months or a year.

Mine was like that, not interested in even scribbling at 3, now he gleefully draws guns and explosions all over his worksheets and wrote dad in cursive today at almost 5.