How can I help my 6 year old distinguish between lower case b and d?

Question

He is having a hard time with the lower case b and d. He calls a b a d and a d a b. He also pronounces them backwards. I dont know how to help him with this. If anyone has and suggestions, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

First of all, he is not dyslexic. Mixing up b and d is a normal developmental thing. Many kids through 2nd grade will actually write and say things backwards. Nothing to worry about. Make gentle corrections, don't get upset. b has a belly in front, d doesn't, is a good way to teach it.

Answer 2

start with distinguishing capitals, like B and D, he can write those out, once he can do that then tell him that B=b and D=d.... but that might be a little tricky. Or try giving him words like ball, bat, bye, boy to spell, then have him spell d words... make sure he does not have dyslexia. Tell to make a circle with his left hand (pointer and thumb- w/ all other fingers up) it should form a "b"- have him do the same thing with the other hand forming a "d"- have him hold up is left hand and say the letter out loud, then the right... OR the "b" has a belly and the "d" doesn't...hope this help u!

Answer 3

First, be assured that reversals of this sort are common for his age. His normal development will take care of it in time.

You might try having him hold out his left hand straight and sidwise for the first part of the b and then double his right hand into a fist and place it low beside the left hand. The left being a bat and the right being a ball, since bat and ball both start with a b.

This will only work if he knows the phonetic sounds for b and d and associates them with the correct letter symbol.

Answer 4

All 3 of my boys had the same problem. They also confused p with q, wrote right to left, etc. I've been told by many psychologists and teachers that at that young age it's perfectly normal and something they outgrow. All 3 of them (2 in high school and one in 3rd grade) picked up on it relatively quickly - it just took some time. I wouldn't have him tested for anything yet - if the teacher thought he needed to be she would tell you. The suggestions on b is for belly seemed to work for my kids.

Answer 5

As a first grade teacher this is normal. NO NEED TO HAVE HIM TESTED. it is common. Use the letters sound in the word bed to help him distinguish the letters. :) he will be fine

Answer 6

I used to have this problem when I was younger. The way I remembered it was by writing B (in capital letters) and covering the top circle so it looks like b

Answer 7

write the alpahbet in lower case letters (a, b, c, d), explain to him the order, that it's a, than BBBB, than c, than DDDD, and show him the difference between the direction of b and d. the b's circle is right like a belly (b-e-l-l-y) and the d's circle is left like a doorbell, (d-o-o-r-b-e-l-l).

Answer 8

He may have dyslexia, which I myself have. It is difficult but with time and patience he will get it. Just because he has dyslexia doesn't at all mean he has a learning disorder. It's hard for those that have that but almost always means they are very much smarter in other areas.

Answer 9

The Bumble Bee buzzes to the Right, and does the Right thing.
It goes to your pencil, because it likes it too.
(If he's right handed, this song will go perfectly)

The girl, DeeDee stands on her head (d)

lol...hope this helps!

ALSOOO...
Tell him d goes is the left...your left hand is the only hand that can make an L!

Answer 10

You might try and have him do repetitive exercises everyday. Get some paper that he is used to using in school and draw some small b's and small d's and have him practice writing them everyday for about 5 minutes. I wouldn't do more than that because of his age. Good Luck!