Talk to me about Handwriting

[mimid]

DD1 (3y9m) has spent the week writing "A" "E" "I" and things that look like "O" and "U" on anything she can. She also then tells me that she needs to find some things that start with whatever letter she just wrote. I have no idea where it came from, but it seems she is interested. I have no clue what to get her, though. I didn't think handwriting was something that started so early.

We do Montessori things and have the sandpaper letters and the metal insets which she likes. I bought a wipe-off mat with letters on it at the Target dollar spot but think I'm going to stash those for later because seeing all of the letters is distracting for her and there isn't much space for her write. I'd like to get something else but I'm not sure what.

She seems to be copying the way I write my letters so I was thinking of just getting some paper and making my own worksheets. I've also considered using D'Nealian and some chalkboards but that might just be my love for all Montessori materials.

TIA!

[theretohere]

Originally Posted by mimid

DD1 (3y9m) has spent the week writing "A" "E" "I" and things that look like "O" and "U" on anything she can. She also then tells me that she needs to find some things that start with whatever letter she just wrote. I have no idea where it came from, but it seems she is interested. I have no clue what to get her, though. I didn't think handwriting was something that started so early.

We do Montessori things and have the sandpaper letters and the metal insets which she likes. I bought a wipe-off mat with letters on it at the Target dollar spot but think I'm going to stash those for later because seeing all of the letters is distracting for her and there isn't much space for her write. I'd like to get something else but I'm not sure what.

She seems to be copying the way I write my letters so I was thinking of just getting some paper and making my own worksheets. I've also considered using D'Nealian and some chalkboards but that might just be my love for all Montessori materials.

TIA!

If she's copying your writing and you are OK with that I'd continue- just keep it gentle. I do think it's important when kids start writing to guide them a little so they form letters properly and easily.

[mimid]

Thanks! Me helping her form the letters correctly is what made me question the mats I got. That "ball and stick" writing is hard for me to do. LOL

[Momma Aimee]

Originally Posted by mimid

Thanks! Me helping her form the letters correctly is what made me question the mats I got. That "ball and stick" writing is hard for me to do. LOL

I have gotten a poster of letters in D'Nealian which is the form i have chosen for us. I have also gottne a coupe of "letter lines" like for a kids desk (one for their easle and one for ? not sure yet)

Theo is making letters the size of 5X7 sheet right now so we don't actually use them but i am trying to "shape up my own writting" since he is paying more attention to it and asking me to write things for him

[theretohere]

Originally Posted by mimid

Thanks! Me helping her form the letters correctly is what made me question the mats I got. That "ball and stick" writing is hard for me to do. LOL

If you don't want her writing ball and stick- some families (mine included) start with cursive.
Otherwise, there are free handwriting sheets on www.donnayoung.org

[Momma Aimee]

also check out

http://www.handwritingworksheets.com/

http://www.handwritingforkids.com/

for free worksheet makers. Bookmark them for later if you choose to use one of the fonts.

and

http://www.startwrite.com/fonts.php

is also worth looking at

Also rainbow Resoureces (that HUGE catologe) has a number of writting things -- including D'Nealian which is not always as easy to find as some of the others,

[nov05mama]

My DS was the same way...around age 3/3.5 he wanted to try to write everything! I posted in the other thread by Aimee, but I was so worried about getting an actual 'curriculum' for handwriting at such an early age, but I also didn't want to "mess him up" when it came to handwriting. He actually LOVES the HWT Get Ready for School book and it's done wonders! We just moved onto the K book and he still loves it!!

[dotnetdiva]

We also love Handwriting Without Tears. We zoomed through the first few books, and now are slowing down in HWT First Grade book. I also use the StartWrite software which has HWT fonts!

You can glimpse into our days using HWT:

http://satorismiles.com/tag/hwt

[mrshoobydoober]

I was also going to suggest HWT Get Set for School book. It's really just a coloring book that incorporates handwriting.

They sell wood pieces that you can use as a hands-on to teach the letters. But those can be easily duplicated yourself with other materials.

She seems to be copying the way I write my letters so I was thinking of just getting some paper and making my own worksheets.

But there's nothing wrong with that either. If it works, keep doing it.

[mimid]

Thanks! I ended up buying some of the HWOT stuff. It seems popular and has a decent resale value if it doesn't work out well. I hope it gets here soon because she's filling up all sorts of papers with letters and telling me what she's "written" on it. LOL

Since we are home with colds tomorrow, I'll print some worksheets out for her to look at with letters she knows.