Planning the school year and fat pencils for learning to write.

[eastkygal]

DD1 wanted to go ahead and start her kindergarten year. I thought we'd take the summer off, but she is gung-ho and I don't want to miss this opportunity. I'm thinking of going as long as she is attentive and interested and just breaking when she needs some time just to be. I'm kind of interested in unschooling as far as doing things child-led. So, this kind of scheduling really appeals to me. Does it seem reasonable?

So, she wasn't to learn to write and read. We are starting with numbers as she already recognizes them when she sees them mostly. This way we can focus on what she is interested in at the moment - learning to form the numbers on her own. She is having some difficulty with the number two, and I am wondering if a fat pencil would help. I learned to write with a fat pencil, but I hadn't considered what kind of help it might provide. DD1 is using a regular pencil. She holds it correctly. What are your opinions?

[rootzdawta]

I've been using the Handwriting without Tears program and I think the biggest thing I've learned from there is that the writing implement must be short, i.e. short crayons ("flip crayons") or golf pencils. Ever tried to write with one of the big pencils you get at the fair? How awkward it feels? When a child uses a normal length pencil, it's difficult to use. I don't think the width of the pencil matters as much. The most important thing to develop for good handwriting I think is teaching good grip (HWoT uses tripod grip).

[AAK]

What's the problem with her number two? Is it simply illegible, or is the shape backwards, or what? You say that her grip is fine, so if it is just a manner of legibility, it will come--don't stress about it. It can also be fun though to drop the pencil altogether and form the letters/numbers out of cookie dough, playdough, clay, wikki stix, or whatever.

Amy

[kanga2roo]

Fat pencils are hard for little fingers. Use golf pencils or broken chalk. Also, if you break up the number 2 into two parts - the curve around and the straight "foot" its easy. I like the old Math Their Way program and used it for years teaching. The first part is purple, the second is green. Every number, every time, No mixups! Use purple/green playdough and chalk, then white chalk, then pencil if you want. Hth's!

[eastkygal]

Thanks for the advice. I hadn't thought about the length of the pencil. Her 2 is legible, just skinny and it looks like she is straining when she writes it. So, I was thinking maybe her writing utensil was giving her trouble. I'll try the shorter pencil. Also some making twos out of other things. Good idea! Thanks. I tend to be cut and dry when it comes these things.