What is the appropriate age for a child to start learning to write the alphabet and the numbers?

Question

I have a 4 and a half year old and she is going into prep next year, she has been learning to write her numbers and has some difficulties in writing a few numbers (only 3 numbers), She writes her name perfectly, but doesn't write the alphabet yet. I am just wondering what the average age is for them to start writing the alphabet and the numbers as i am wondering if she is ready for prep next year as her kindy teacher says she is not quite ready.

Answer 1

Sounds like a happy 4 yr old. Is she going into Prep school or Kindergarten? How did her K teacher make such a blantant statement of your daughters ability to excel in Kindergarten or not? One afternoon can't detemine that? What is going on with this women?

Does she have motor skills that warrant problems? While it is true that schools are pushing for the kids to not only write the alphabet and numbers but begin to read...

For the 3 numbers she has trouble writing make up follow the number dots or get a pad that allows her to trace over and over. Even using an etch a sketch.

You really need to tread carefully that u don't squelch her joy of learning. I would worry more about a teacher who is making comments so quickly. If there are concerns u haven't written about seek testing to see if there are underlying educational potential problems that early intervention will be proactive. But don't let her be label by this women.

Read to her lots every night, do you have a childrens museum that you can allow her to use all her senses in feel numbers and alphabet. Usually they have wonderful exhibits for kids to feel, touch, hear and write. Playing simple games so she recognizes the number and says it aloud and together you write it out. Maybe giving her a health snack reward for wonderful effort. Some children progress slower than others. As long as she's health, doesn't have vision problems, and neurologically fine I would just enjoy her age and all she succeeds at.

My own DD I can remember couldn't read very well. I got some computer games from the Learning Company. Math and Reading Blasters by grade level. They were fun, interactive and she not only improved reading and english but her math excel from the games and adventures. Do some homework and find the latest material and try one. I decided to let my younger son do them before school. It's probably one reason he excels in math. He loved the monkeys and the games. We use to go online to a childrens site and play games that would help with school. They had a prek section too. I just can't remember the web address. Google and ck.

Answer 2

All children learn at different speeds it truly depends on the child and the teacher. (That would be Mom,) If she's not getting it the way you are trying to teach her do something different. My daughter was the sharp one right from the beginning which was a blessing because my so was not the one to learn if he knew I was trying to teach him something. So with him I would do arts and crafts and fun things. The best one were the messiest ones. I would take and cover our diner table with a cheap plastic solid color table cloth and put a pile of shaving cream in the center and ask him if he wanted to try writing his numbers or alphabets which he loved to do. He would ask me when we could do it again and yes we used a lot a shaving cream. Be creative but never make a child continue with a lesson if they are done with it. Use bath time as another opportunity they have bath crayons of which makes for a another fun lesson which they wont know is. My point is be creative and have fun. I'm proud to say both my children were honor students by the time they graduated and I now have a freshman and a sophomore in college. Never stop trying.

Answer 3

5

Answer 4

Well I learnt how to write the alphabet and names and things like that when I was 2, but that was quite early. I have now just turned 15, and am way ahead of my class. I think the average is about 3 or 4 for numbers and letters. Actual sentences you do at school.

Answer 5

I think the appropriate age varies by child. Some 4 year olds will only sit and learn for 5 minutes before getting bored. Some 3 year olds will sit for 1/2 hour. It all depends.

We started working with my 3 1/2 year old at age 2. She has been able to write both upper and lower case letters for almost a year now. She can write her full name and her sisters name and is now learning to read.

But, as I said, each child is different. Go out and get one of those wipe off alphabet books and a chalkboard. Practive with her for as long as she will handle it........but no more than 1/2 hour as you don't want her to get turned off from learning.

Answer 6

It depends on the child! Young children develop at very different rates and are ready for things at very different times. If she is comfortable holding a pencil and has had lots of experience drawing/writing and has good fine motor control (which it sounds like she does) then she may be ready to start writing letters. Pushing her before she is ready, or putting pressure on her to form letters correctly right away can cause frustration and can even make her avoid writing altogether. I suggest approaching it through play, in a low-pressure environment. For example, if you are playing "kitchen", suggest she write a shopping list. Most likely you will get some scribbles or random letter-like shapes, but then you can ask her what she wrote and show her how you would write it, then let her copy your letters if she shows interest.

Answer 7

Well, I learned at 4ish, but had some difficulties as well. My nephew was 4 something too. Course, I was under the impression that prep (schools) were suppose to teach, not have a classroom of children that already know the information. (Just wondering, maybe it depends on where you are) I think she sounds more than ready.

Answer 8

Well, I started pre-school when I was four we learned to write numbers, the alphabet I think we started in K-5. So if you start teaching her now she can only be ahead for kindergarten.

Answer 9

My daughter is the same age she writes some of her letters. They all learn at a different age! Just practice with her. My daughter shows me she writes different letters each day!

Answer 10

I think starting early as possible. It doesn't mean that the child will write the letters correctly. But it will help with the small motor skills.