pls share some "cursive first" success stories

[kristin0713]

We are homeschooling, doing a mixed approach and a lot things typically considered Montessori for the toddler/pre-school years. My kids are 2yo and 4yo. I was planning on starting my DD with the A Beka K-4 cursive curriculum in September when she will be 4.5, but now I am having doubts. I don't know a lot of homeschoolers personally who have started cursive this young, but I know it is common in Montessori programs. If your child learned to write cursive first, please chime in! If it didn't work for them, please share that as well and why you think that was the case. Thanks

[blessedwithboys]

both of my kids taught themselves cursive. they already knew some printing (could write every letter mostly legibly) but once they learned cursive their writing really took off. due to some SPD issues, cursive was so much easier for both of them. i highly recommend early cursive learning if the child is receptive.

[carmel23]

There are a variety of practical/ physical tasks that children work on in a Montessori 3-6 year-old house before they are able to sit down and write, with pencil and paper, type cursive.

[kristin0713]

There are a variety of practical/ physical tasks that children work on in a Montessori 3-6 year-old house before they are able to sit down and write, with pencil and paper, type cursive.

Are you saying that they typically don't begin writing at all until about 6yo?

[Lillianna]

I'm not sure about the A Beka curriculum, but I do know about the path of Montessori writing:
1. early practical life and sensorial lessons that strengthen the pincer grip, loosen the arm for large circular movement and in general, refine motor control.
2. when the child shows interest (commonly around the age of 3 or 4)...the Sandpaper letters are introduced. There are many repetitions during this stage, including a variety of games to extend the child's experience with this material.
3. sand tray and chalkboards combined w/ sandpaper letters, and then without the letter....again, this stage happens over a period of time - different for each child.
4. short words and phrases written with pencil on wide lined paper (this is linked to reading activities, object boxes and "the farm")
5. The size of the paper gradually diminishes as the lines also decrease until the child is writing fluently.
Throughout this all - there are many instances where the child is watching and observing others writing in cursive. (both the Guide and other students)
My dd and many other children I have witnessed learning to write in cursive when introduced in this manner.
Good luck!

[sapphire_chan]

Originally Posted by kristin0713

Are you saying that they typically don't begin writing at all until about 6yo?

From what I've read, it's more typical to start writing around 4yo. Typically, kids in the Montessori environment have been doing works that build hand strength for writing (e.g., puzzles with small knobs, using clothespins) and works that develop pencil control (e.g. metal insets) for awhile before even starting the works that look at letter formation (e.g. sandpaper letters, sand tray) so there isn't much time between starting to learn the letter shapes and writing.

[kristin0713]

Thank you, those replies are so helpful! I am just not sure what to do now with my DD as far as writing. We have always done a lot of motor tasks--puzzles, stringing beads, legos, sorting, sand play, helping with cooking, lots of general "life experience" hands-on things. I just made a set of sandpaper letters and she is enjoying those. My DD loves to draw and write. This past year, we did a letter of the week--I chose library books every week with words that started with our focus letter, and just did fun activities and things to build phonemic awareness. I showed her how to write each letter as we did them (print) because she was asking me to. She did a lot of writing on her own. She loves to copy and practice letters, loves to draw, color, etc. She said she wants to learn "fancy" (cursive :-) letters. But then I read this article that someone posted on the homeschool board about delaying reading/writing until the child's brain is developed enough on both sides and now I am so confused! I think her motor skills are good but what if her brain is not ready? Either way, I am not going to push her. I'm just not sure if I should start using the curriculum, encourage the cursive writing and phonics stuff right now or just continue to expose her to it, do the motor stuff, games, experiential learning, etc.

If this makes any sense, and if anyone has more thoughts, I would love to hear them.

[sapphire_chan]

I'd ask in the general education forums if anyone's heard of waiting until both sides of the brain are developed.

My first thought on the matter is that it is absurd and likely a misunderstanding of other information.

For instance, maybe kids don't take to reading/writing (note, in Montessori, writing proceeds reading) until their brains are in balance? So if you have a kid who isn't enjoying reading/writing activities at age X, you should back off so their brain has time to develop?

If that is the case, then I'd say it sounds like your dd's brain is balanced enough to carry on.

ETA:
could you post the article link?

[kristin0713]

Here is the article:

http://www.lilipoh.com/articles/2007..._children.aspx

It doesn't cite studies or research or any other references. It seems to make sense to me, though. I just don't want to do the wrong thing!

[sapphire_chan]

The proprioceptive system is strengthened by physical movements, like sweeping with a broom, pushing a wheelbarrow, carrying groceries, emptying the trash, pulling weeds, or hanging from monkey bars.

Practical life, plus going to the park, plus being involved at home.

Now, when these children look at the shapes of letters and numbers, their eyes will follow and track the lines and curves.

Except that with the Montessori system, the shapes are traced with the hands. It's not just the eye following the shapes, it's a physical movement.

It also talks about having problems with pencil grips from writing too soon, but with Montessori, the pencil grip is developed before writing exercises.

If you're really really worried that you're messing up your dd by having her do fun activities with letters, ask her to skip, on a walk to the park or other natural time and place.

A physical sign that children have developed bilateral integration and can now read both by sight memory and phonics is shown by their ability to do the cross-lateral skip (swinging their opposite leg with opposite arm forward at the same time) without thinking or concentrating.

The author's recommendations for developing bilateral integration includes

Therapeutic Eurythmy

which is a Waldorf idea that Waldorf schools charge extra fees for. The

Extra Lesson

is also a Waldorf thing. The Waldorf method of education involves much more sitting and being taught than the Montessori method and that could affect what the author is observing in those children.

ETA: One last thing to note, even though the author is arguing against writing learning before age 6 at the youngest, she still argues that cursive should be taught first.