for teachers really and parents of sons?

Question

from the age of 3 my daughter was good at drawing colouring etc, my 2 sons dont want to know i discovered boys fine motor skills are less developed ie they are slower to develop. sons are very intelligent but when putting pen to paper they find it very hard work, how can i help them?

Answer 1

I have sons and a daughter and they are each talented in their own way regardless of gender. My daughter is oddly skilled at math and such (supposedly not the norm) and one son will be valedictorian next year (his strong subject was always English/Comp/Lit/Etc.). I say quit stereo typing and don't believe everyhting you read. Let each child build on their individual strengths at their own pace.

Answer 2

Yes, boys fine motor skills do indeed mature slower than girls...up to a certain age...then a girl's fine motor skills will actually stagnate while the boys' skills will still develop. This is researched fact.
My son had a hard time coloring at first, but very quickly picked it up. His handwriting is still atrocious at seventeen, while my two nieces who are 10 & 13 have emaculate penmanship.
But my son can play 27 instruments, while my neices are hard pressed to even try one by the oldest and the youngest has no interest at all...she's a Junior Olympic gymnast insted.

My son actually does draw quite well when he really wants to. It's just his interests lie elsewhere.

Answer 3

Small manipulatives say help. Like using legos, playdo etc. I know they trya and get you to use pencils in school but I say let them also use crayons and pens if it helps at home. Dry erase boards can make it fun also, and drawing shapes, . some boys really take a long time I mean l o n g time.
The worst is if you get a teacher that takes away recess or has your sons re do work almost as a punishment for it not being legible or neat. My advice if you have that problem is to talk with the teacher, if you truly believe your kid are trying but arent capable.
Have the teacher send the work home to redo so you can help them and they arent missing out at school.

Answer 4

I'm the mother of a 6-year-old boy and I'm an illustrator--been drawing since I was 3 or so. I somehow assumed that he'd take after me, but he's just never been that interested. For what it's worth, I don't think it's something that can be forced. My son's interests just lie elsewhere for now, but he may change his mind down the road. And some of those other outlets for his energy and abilities--acting, music, puzzles, learning to read--do let him express himself in ways that are unique and wonderful, if I just make sure I'm paying attention. I'm no expert, but I've had the best luck just regularly giving him the opportunity to express himself in art, then not fretting too much about what choice he makes. (Easier said than done, I know.)

Answer 5

I'm assuming your boys are now older than 3 and don't want to know. This is very common and can't be forced or you will put them off completely. Just have stuff around they might be interested in, even if it's just a few car pictures.
Boys usually like to be actively doing something and are not so comfortable sitting concentrating. But they do get there in the end!!

Answer 6

as a teacher, i find this a common problem. u need to excite the boys about drawing etc. don't give them a pen and paper! if the weather is fine, go to B&Q or any other shop like it, and get a cheap roll of wall paper or end of line roll (usually free or v.cheap) and a range of pens/felt tips/ paints/chalks and roll the paper outside and let them do what they want! trust me....the 'giant' paper and the freedom will soon get them interested in being creative! ur sons will produce a masterpiece and will want to do it again and again!
let me know how u get on!

Answer 7

I've had students in the past with poor fine motor skills - writing was almost unreadable. During meetings (SSTs) at school, several special education teachers have recommended boys with poor fine motor skills practice large motor skills - throwing balls, swinging bats, etc. It seems weird but that's what they've recommended as research has shown that the two skills are connected.

Answer 8

I don't think they need any help at all.
We're finding this with our 2yr old son. We have just accepted he's completely different to his older sister when she was that age.
She too has always loved drawing etc while he has no real interest. BUT if you look closely at what they do, or rather try and see what they are thinking, if that makes sense, He will sit, watch, and think of a way to make any task easier, simpler or quicker. He may seem slow to start with but then suddenly does it with much more efficiency than his sister.
I think kids brains at that age are like sponges the way they just soak things up, Don't force anything, just keep them occupied with "fun" and information and watch them grow.

Answer 9

You don't say how old your sons are. If they are pre school or Reception/Year 1, let them learn informally through role play, eg they could pretend to be teachers, business men etc, which may encourage them to 'write'. At this age it is more important for them to learn social skills so their learning develops and is not impeded at a later stage. If they are older, you could try letting them record their own story and then write a summarised version for each other. Above all make learning fun, but PLEASE encourage and do not nag or force them into doing something they don't want to - you will only put them off for good! All children are good at something - usually what they enjoy.

Answer 10

Children (anyone really) have different learning methods, visual,kinesthetic, auditory. ie: they retain information from either hearing, writing/drawing or doing/feeling, marbe your daughter has a preference for kinesthetic learning and the boys are more auditory learners, they may be better at singing or writing. Don't try to judge their intelligence by comparing children with their siblings, everybody is different and unique and special in their own way, and soon you will discover what the boys are good at. (I am a teacher of special needs children)Good luck.