is there a reason my child does this?

Question

I have a 5 year old daughter, who is in kindergarden. she had 2 years of preschool before this. For some reason she does not color or write well. she tries really hard,( and I am ok with her coloring outside the lines, but the school is not) she holds her pencil and crayons correctly, but she just doesnt seem to be able to make them work right. I have noticed that when she colors or writes, her left hand is always moving. its like she cant use her right hand independently of her left. I think that her left hand movement has something to do with the fact she isnt doing well. I have tried holding her left hand to keep it from moving, and she does do better when its still. if you know anything about this, I would love to hear it. thanks

thank you all, I really think its a motor skills thing, and I will call to see about an OT. she is such a good kid, and she tries so hard. I am very upset with the school/teacher, because she has been coming home with frowny faces on her papers, and it just breaks her heart. I have spoke to the teacher about it, and voiced my concerns, but they just seem to roll off. I know that teachers have hard jobs, and they cant do everything, but I think she is falling through the cracks, and I really dont want that to happen. I guess I just need to make them hear me.

Answer 1

It really sounds like you should consult an occupational therapist. My friend's son has this problem, he would even clench his left fist and then both of his hands would start shaking. He started occupational therapy while in Kindergarten and it's helped him a lot. Your school should have one on staff or be able to refer you to one. Most communities are required to provide services like this at little or no cost. Good Luck.
P.S.- Make sure you praise her for trying so hard and for doing a good job, especially if the school is coming down on her for this. I'm really surprised they would, most Kindergartners write messy and color outside the lines, what are these people expecting from these kids?

Answer 2

There is a condition where a child has what they call true ambadextria. In other words there are people out there that can write with both hands, but whe they write with the one the other don't move. If a child has the condition I am speaking of, when they go to do something with one hand the other goes along for the ride. You might try looking up the term ambadextrious, and I am not sure I am spelling that right, and maybe you could find the condition I am talking about. I saw this years ago on 20/20.

There are other problems out there like dispraxia, which is what my son has, he has an inability to write letters properly on a page, he is in the first grade and has been attending school sense he was three, he took for ever to pick out a dominate hand, and he is left handed, but like your daughter he can't write anything without his other moving at least just a little. This is more than likely what you may be dealing with. Now I do need to clarify that I may have dyspraxia mixed with up with disscrapia which now that I think about it I am certain I have the two mixed up.

Disscraphia- Not sure on the spelling is the condition with the handwriting the other has to do with speach. Anyway, this is probably the most confussing answer you got but hopefully you can understand it enough to do research.

Best advice, take her to a specialist or have the school do some testing. Most of these types problems can be worked out and helped with proper treatment.

Answer 3

Hi! I am ambidextrous. I had the same prob as a child. I finally chose that it was easier to use my left hand for writing, but I do a number of other things right handed like some sports and cutting (knife and scissors). As I moved up grades, I received many awards for penmanship as I got into the higher elementary grades. I think you have nothing to worry about. If you are concerned, though, you should contact you family physician. What I am concerned about is that the teachers have a problem coloring outside the lines. Most kindergarten kids do color outside the lines, never mind not knowing how to spell their name (orally or written). Have a look at some of the other kids pics and writing. I'm sure she's not the only one.

Answer 4

I would make a game out of her writting/coloring with her left hand some weekend and see how she does? Maybe she can use both? My daughter never saw the usefulness of coloring and never like it. She colored horribly in grade school, and still writes messy (13 yr), but so did I. She's an A student and really artistic, but won't slow down to do something neat that isn't important to her. She draws wonderfully now!

As a concerned parent , I'd mention it to your doctor, it's better to be safe than sorry. She may need to work on her fine motor skills. Have her to hold the bottom of her chair w/ her other hand and see how that goes?

Answer 5

Ahhhh yes the holding of the pencil and coloring outside the lines. I fixed that one with the teacher...I told the teacher that MAYBE my daughter saw something OUTSIDE the lines that the teacher wasn't seeing. My daughter has always had (and still does at 21) a very active imagination (it is a well known fact that highly intelligent people have active imatinations)and I always encouraged the imaginaton. I told the teacher she would continue to color outside the lines and to get over it. As for the pencils...My daughter has TINY hands. In kindergarten she was about the size of a three year old, was, is and always will be extremely petite (she did not come from a family of moose) and she couldn't use a pencil they way they dictated simply because the pencil was TOO big for her tiny hand. Again, I told them to get over it, that as long as what she wrote was legibile and spelled correctly how she physically did it was of no consequence to them. LOL consequently I was called to the pricinpals office quite often because of MY attitude

Answer 6

My son had a similar problem. Try some of these ideas they worked for us..... Put pudding on a cookie try and have her spell her name, this also works well with jello powder. Have her transfer sand to a small container, and in courage her to not spill any. This will help her with her colouring skills. As well you could get her a chalk board and have her practise on this, it allows for more movement which over time will help her fine motor skills. Another thing is cut and paste, follow the lines and keep the glue in the shape...... I hope that helps a little

Answer 7

Some children learn at different rates than others. If you are very concerned contact a specialist in learning disabilities and have your daughter checked out.
Each child can have quirks while they are learning. This does not necessarily mean it is a bad thing. My mother couldn't stop from using her tongue when she was learning piano. It took me much practice to learn how to type without looking at the keys. Each person is an individual who develops at their own rate and in their own way.
As I said before, if this continues to be a concern of yours, take her to a specialist.

Answer 8

Has she tried to color or write with her left hand?

My son was ambidextrious for a long time and he seems to have selected his right hand now. His writing is still not great though. [he's also in Kindergarten]

Beat wishes

Answer 9

I would bring this up to her Dr. It sounds like maybe a motor skills problem. Maybe an occupational therapist could help?

Answer 10

Could be anything or nothing. But it's probably something a neurologist would recognize right away. I'd have your doctor check her out and maybe get a referral to a specialist. It's a curiosity, if nothing else.