Should I be worried?

Question

My son, who turned 5 in December, HATES writing. He says that he's not smart and isn't good at writing. He really is struggling. He's in preschool and he can write his first name, and is trying to learn his last name right now, but it just seems really hard for him.
Do you think I should be concerned? Do you think he'll get it soon? My other concern is that he's started telling me that he isn't very smart since he started school and I don't really feel like his teacher is working with him? Any advice or experiences you've had would be appreciated.

He's really good at everything else in school. He just doesn't seem to have the fine motor skills right now.
Also, I'm really positive with him and encourage him and tell him that he really is a smart and good little boy. I'm just so heartbroken that he thinks otherwise!

Answer 1

Boys are always slower at the reading and language than girls are... My boys are the same way! I actually put my youngest in a pre-Kindergarten program and he thrived in it. Good Luck!

Answer 2

My son also is in PreK, he can write only his first name. I have had him tell me that he is not smart at times too. I have found that the leapster Max has helped him out alot. This thing is expensive.. but knowing that it is actually helping him learn letters and numbers is making me very happy about buying it. Have you had a conference with the teacher? My son is also ADHD and is on medication for it as well. Do you find that you son has a hard time sitting still and focusing? I recently had a conference with my son's teacher and she gave me a progress report on how well he is doing in school and what I should work on at home with him. He can sit at the computer and type out his name and when I ask him to find certain letters.. he does pretty well. I honestly believe it is from the leapster. She also said he could work on scissor skills too.. but I just will not let him cut things up at home.. lol. My son is extremely active and somedays we try working on workbooks, but usually by the time he gets home from school his medicine is wearing off and he gets difficult. All children learn on different levels. My son loves video games so this is why I chose the buy the leapster max.. it connects to the tv and makes him think he is playing a video game. I love to hear him say "look mommy.. I am learning like a big boy now!" I wish you the best of luck and hope that all works out with your little boy.. It makes me happy to see parents who are concerned about their children these days.

Answer 3

The first thing I would do is talk to his teacher. Your son has to be hearing the things he is saying about himself. No 5 year old should even know what "not smart" means. I would start working with him at home also and give him lots of praise. Look in your area for a "Headstart" program, call the local elementry school and ask for the Phone #. You can have you son tested to make sure he is not in need of some Therapy, he may need some Motor skills Therapy. My daughter is 6 and in Kindergarten. She has been in Speech Therapy and Motor skills therapy since the age of 3, it has been a huge help on other areas also. The best thing you can do is work with him at home and don't allow him to say negative things about himself.

Answer 4

I think that your son is probably being picked on at school. The teacher will not do anything about it being that she has a class full. At least that was my sons teachers excuse when he was being picked on. I home-school now and he has done so much better because he gets the one on one that he needs. All my kids are now home-schooled. I understand that most women are not in a position to be able to do that, but aside from going to school just keep working with him in your spare time. And most important tell him he is smart and keep encouraging him. Have family and friends also encourage him and raise his self esteem. Find different ways to show him he is smart. Keep up the good work.

Answer 5

I would suggest rewarding and encouraging him in areas that his is doing well in, then you must define smart, what does that mean to you. He is probably looking at what some of the other kids in the class is doing or older kids and feeling as if he can't do somethings as well as them. I would also begin working with him (and ask that is teachers do the same) on fine motor skills...beading, holding a pen or pencil, etc. that may encourage him to use his fine motor skills and gain confidence in his ability to do certain things. Now, more specific, YOU SHOULD NOT WORRY! Good Luck.

Answer 6

A lot of times teachers move too fast through their lessons in order to keep up with the cirriculum. The kids who have learning difficulties often struggle and are left behind while the teachers continue teaching new material. If he doesn't get the basics now, he can't be expected to understand the more difficult things later.

I struggled in math from second grade until graduation because no one ever took the time to go back and re-teach me the basic steps. I would strongly suggest tutoring, if there is a Sylvan Learning Center in your area, schedule an assessment with them. It doesn't have to be a permanent thing, he could just attend tutoring until he caught up with the other kids. Sylvan makes it fun by rewarding their students progress. If Sylvan isn't an option for you, find a tutor in your area or try to work one on one with him on your own. Whatever you do, don't blow this off and think it will get better on it's own because it will only get worse if he isn't learning the basics and keeping up with his classmates. Good luck!

Answer 7

How is his reading? How well can he identify letters and words? Check into these things and if the answers aren't up to snuff perhaps you should have his eyesight checked. That could be a factor. Also, working with him at home writing simple 3 letter words that have the same letters as his name will help familiarize himself with writing those letters. That way he might not feel as overwhelmed if he's writing CAT and DOG and JAM and so on and so forth repeatedly. Once he gets the hang of those over and over, then his name will be easier. Consequently, other words will become easier too. Just practice the tiny words over and over til he gets the hang of it.

Teachers of such young students have quite a bit to deal with and often cannot give one on one time as much as needed. That's where you come in as a parent. Set aside time every night to instruct him on your own. It'll help him and give you special time with your son too.

Answer 8

Boys just don't always do fine motor skills early; don't worry about this now. It's just too bad he's feeling down on himself, but you are doing the right things by encouraging him. I would go see his teacher, though.

Answer 9

I started writing when I was 8 years old. Now I am a medical doctor at UCLA. I am sure your son will be fine.

Answer 10

if ur last name is really long then no otherwise yes