I agree with the need for an OT evaluation to rule out any motor skill issues but if that comes back fine, make sure he actually knows how to form the letters correctly. My oldest child learned rather haphazardly and it took a long time to finesse her writing. She actually never felt comfortable with printing and only enjoyed handwriting once she started cursive in grade 2. My younger child attended a school where they actually taught proper letter formation ( when to pick up and put down the pencil lead, where to start each letter in the correct direction to move in forming it) in pre-K and it made all the difference in her handwriting right from the start.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a PP whose kids had fine motor stuff and I was adamantly against computers and tablets to the point that then she got to K and had to learn computers and found it incredibly frustrating because she had had no previous exposure at home. So I think it's not fair to say all fine motor stuff is caused by too much screen time. For some kids it is truly a motor planning issue that extends to many other areas.

No one is saying using a computer sometimes is bad for kids. Actually a keyboard and mouse does help fine motor skills. And no one said that some kids do not have fine motor skill issues generated from other biological or genetic issues.

But there is plenty of research showing how more and more kids are coming into school with little to no fine motor skills and that is indeed something that can be worked on ahead of time. When 20 out of 20 kindergarten kids could do something over 10 years ago that now only 2 in 20 kids can do now, it IS an issue.

Computers and tablets do have their place. My SN child has the absolute worst handwriting (he is in upper elementary). We reached a point where it was just not going to get any better. Fine motor issues are to blame for the handwriting as well as a host of other things DC cannot do well. DC uses a computer to type up all assignments and it has been a lifesaver. So, for special circumstances it has a place.

Anonymous wrote:Kumon workbooks and dry erase cards. Practice. My son was barely writing in K, and in 1st grade so much better. We do practice some at home.

+1 to the Kumon books! We did two pages daily. It only takes a few minutes and they're fantastic. Easy enough for DS to work on by himself, and the small amount daily really seemed to help. Lots of positive reinforcement.

Yes, other fine motor skill practice is also helpful, but repeated writing of the letters helps make it stick in your muscle memory. DS still sometimes gets sloppy when he's in a rush, but when he knows the handwriting needs to be legible (spelling tests), he seems to make the extra effort.

OP, my DD's K teacher alerted me to her handwriting near the end of K. It was pretty bad. We did 4 sessions over the summer with an OT who specializes in handwriting without tears. He said her handwriting was within normal range for a child her age, but did work a little with her to boost her confidence. FWIW, she is currently in 3rd and has really decent handwriting.

Anonymous wrote:I am a PP whose kids had fine motor stuff and I was adamantly against computers and tablets to the point that then she got to K and had to learn computers and found it incredibly frustrating because she had had no previous exposure at home. So I think it's not fair to say all fine motor stuff is caused by too much screen time. For some kids it is truly a motor planning issue that extends to many other areas.

No one is saying using a computer sometimes is bad for kids. Actually a keyboard and mouse does help fine motor skills. And no one said that some kids do not have fine motor skill issues generated from other biological or genetic issues.

But there is plenty of research showing how more and more kids are coming into school with little to no fine motor skills and that is indeed something that can be worked on ahead of time. When 20 out of 20 kindergarten kids could do something over 10 years ago that now only 2 in 20 kids can do now, it IS an issue.

I think that we do worry too much, and that OTs make it their job to find something to "work on." Couldn't we all use greater core strength? There are also a lot of conflicting messages, like fine motor is related to gross motor, so if your kid has poor fine motor skills, then we need to work on gross motor. But if your kid has good gross motor skills and is able to carry through with multiple steps (e.g., hitting a moving baseball!), and is able to handle small manipulatives, then maybe the problem is that he *simply* is not motivated to write letters. In many countries with higher literacy rates, kids don't start writing letters until they start reading, around age 6-7.

FWIW, my DS couldn't be bribed to hold a crayon until he was almost 5. But, we knew he great fine motor skills (he could put together advanced Lego kits with tiny pieces) and that he had good gross motor skills. Fortunately, DS had a teacher that recognized that he just didn't want to write. Fast forward 5 years later, and he is an amazing artist, has great handwriting--and could care less about Legos.

I think that if all the other indicators suggest that there is no lack of motor skills, fine or gross, encourage it, but don't force it. And talk to his teacher about other ways to maintain fine motor skills.

5 minutes twice per day of handwriting practice, but let him choose something to trace and then copy (does it matter if it's something about Minecraft versus something boring or a quote?).

Have him play with clay, use tweezers and scissors. Look into toddler and preschooler activities involving manual dexterity.

Fine motor skills are a bitch. he's probably great at sports right? Those are large motor skills.

When he's in the car or watching tv, have him squeeze a stress ball repeatedly with the hand he writes with. It'll strengthen his hand muscles.

Don't give it another thought. Nobody expects beautiful handwriting from a kindergarten boy.

I am a PP whose kids had fine motor stuff and I was adamantly against computers and tablets to the point that then she got to K and had to learn computers and found it incredibly frustrating because she had had no previous exposure at home. So I think it's not fair to say all fine motor stuff is caused by too much screen time. For some kids it is truly a motor planning issue that extends to many other areas.