How can I help a six year old boy to write correctly ?

Question

A six year old boy in my class has a mirror effect of writing. He turns "b's" to "d's" and vice versa. His "s's" are the other way round so are his "c's" and several other letters. I've tried loads of tactics but the problem still persits. Please Help !

Answer 1

This will probably improve with age, but there are many tactics to try.

• For children who do mirror writing, as Matthew did, a sticker at the top left corner of the page can help remind them where to start.

• If it is just a particular letter or two that are troublesome, help them with a reminder (like “b” has a big belly).

• Encourage your child to trace words you’ve printed for him, or use inexpensive stencils to give practice in printing the letters correctly. Make it fun by turning it into a craft such as making birthday cards or party invitations.

• Build a pattern with tiles or blocks and have your child duplicate it. Make asymmetrical designs that help her focus on matching the different sides.

allowing him to use play dough to form the letters 'b' & 'd'

- getting him to write 'b' and 'd' in uncooked rice, flour and in the air with his finger

- drawing the word and picture 'bed', with a man lying down on it, head above 'b' and feet above 'd'.

- showing him that his right hand (palm closed, with thumb sticking out -palm facing him) is the letter 'b' and using his left hand doing the same hand action will give him a 'd'.
- Use handwriting styles that go from left to right..
1. Draw a big arrow at the top of the page, and say we always move this direction.
2. To write a "b": Start at the top of the page and move the pencil down to form the vertical line first. Without picking the pencil up, draw the round part. Always moving to the right.
3. To write a "d": Start at 2:00 like you are writing an "a" but make the up hand stroke longer. Also don't pick up the pencil

check out the links too

Answer 2

I did the same as a child and I was diagnosed with Dyslexia. My mother has papers I wrote that you can actually see correctly in the mirror. I seem to remember something they did for me that may seem unconventional was:

They gave me a colored pencil with red on one end and blue on the other. Then my teacher's taught me to write one letter red, one letter blue to alternate each letter. That was about 25 years ago, but I can tell you, it worked!

Now, I am a teacher and I have done some research into the effects of color on the brain, and although most studies are inconclusive, will it hurt to try?

I have made a B's, D's, P's and Q's chart for my classroom.

Each chart has it's lower case letter and easily recognized pictures. For the letter p I have a large pig, pineapple, and pony.

These are just suggestions. Best of luck! (PS, perhaps this child will qualify for Occupational Therapy???)

Answer 3

I think that this is just a developmental issue, and chances are when he's in 3rd grade, he'll be over it. I wouldn't make a big issue of this. Especially if his other language arts skills are on target. You should probably continue to correct him in a friendly, relaxed way, but he probably can't help it yet. How many adults do you know that still write their letters backward? I've never seen one. Some kids are just not ready to "take off" in their reading and writing skills until 3rd grade. I think it's premature to label him as dyslexic. Did you know that in some countries formal reading instruction does not begin until 3rd grade (age 8)? This is because many children's brains are not ready for it until this age. Don't worry--he's still learning, but everyone needs to be patient with him, and carefully observe him in the next two years.

Answer 4

Have his parents had him tested for dyslexia? The signs you are talking about are classic symptoms and signs.

Check out these sites:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dyslexia/DS00224/DSECTION=8&

http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/DS/00224.html

Hope these help,
Jennifer