If you’re concerned that a child is writing their name backwards or mirror writing, please be reassured that in the majority of cases this is a common, even arguably normal occurrence. Also, it is something a large number of children do, and rarely a sign of any underlying issues. What should you do if a …
Your pre-schooler hates writing? Honestly, this is completely natural, and most researchers would even say normal. At this age many children are not ready physically to attempt mark-making, and starting them too quickly can sometimes do more harm than good. Having said this, there are some things you can do to speed along the process …
Developing fine motor skills in children is incredibly important. Everyone understands the impact this will have on early writing, but this is only a tiny portion of the full picture. Fine motor skills are a central part of our lives. By developing their fine motor control, children are able to access other things to become …
Lots of teachers and parents wonder about which type of writing equipment is best for preschool-aged children. This is a unique stage of life, and therefore they should probably be using tools that are tailored for them. A common question is, should pre-schoolers use fat pencils? Yes, pre-schoolers should use fat pencils. They will suit …
Pretty much everyone who works in early childhood education, and also many parents, are aware of the main difference between fine and gross motor skills; but did you realize there are many more differences between the two than meet the eye? Understanding these differences will help you appreciate many things, including the ways boys and …
Children go through a long transition from making marks to later writing in sentences. How to help them through this period will go a long way in helping them enjoy writing, and find success. But there are so many questions, such as – should pre-schoolers write on lined paper? Most experts agree that pre-schoolers should …
Blending and segmenting are very closely linked skills, and yet they are also kind of opposites. Both are really important to early phonics, and are needed for children to start reading and writing simple words. But what’s the difference between blending and segmenting? Blending is a skill needed for reading. Segmenting is used for writing. …
For any of you that have taught early phonics to young children, the question may well have come up – ‘Do you teach blending or segmenting first?’ This is a common question, but one there seems no official answer to if you consult the usual authoritative channels. I have based my own personal answer to …