Writting and counting

Rebecca - posted on 08/13/2011

I'm sure the rules are different in different places but I don't think anyone can stop you sending your child to school for not being able to do certain things.
I know where I am, I was actually surprised at how many kids couldn't count to 10 and write their name when my youngest started school. They seemed to teach it to them automatically. I was particularly surprised about the name writing because, while I knew my son could count higher than an "average" child, he'd always struggled with writing but could still write his name so I assumed that most other kids would be able to.
With the numbers, a lot of kids skip one number (I don't know why this is but I remember my little cousin always skipping my age when she was learning to count!). You just need to keep going over it with him. As for the writing, do you get him to write the numbers? That could be a good start if he finds it hard writing words. Does he know the alphabet? Perhaps write that out for him, get him to pick out the letters for his name and copy them.
I don't know how useful that will be. I honestly don't remember how I taught mine to write (although I am still having trouble with my youngest who is about to go into his 3rd school year.

Jana - posted on 01/15/2010

i have had my daughter in preschool and she still didn't learn all her numbers and she coulds spell her name and visual knew her name but could not completly right it its a complicated name she could sing her numbers buy 1's 2's and 5's that is sing but not just resight don't know why but that summer she got it and got in but here it is not a prerequisit for school thats thier job my daughter loved the internet games and is know an a student in grade 3 don't panic yet dollar store as good flash cards and preschool activity books and puzzles make it fun also check to see if they have to know or would they like them to know i have never heard that they had to know more than going to the bathroom and getting dressed by themselves and i have kids ranging from 18 - 5 and lived in several parts of the country good luck have fun and don't panic there is always next year

Sally - posted on 01/14/2010

You have some time. Try not to sweat it! I know it seems impossible right now. Just know that they can't not take your kid-- by law! As long as you register at the right time which is probably this month and if your child has other issues that need special attention (mine have mild speech difficulties) then make sure you bring that up with your pediatritian and your prospective school (they call it special ed, but it is nothing to be afraid of if your child would benefit from more watchful instruction). A bunch of things happen for kids right before they turn 5; it is truly amazing!! Keep working with him as far as his name with a Capitol letter followed by lower case letters. Sing the alphabet and play number games both verbal and written. the object is to get him familiar with these things not to stress out if he isn't ready to write them or even say them himself. I showed my kids Signing Time videos which may be at your public library by now. They do more than teach ASL they also encourage verbal repetition of words, colors, letters, etc. During this time you are watching them right along with him and listening to his letter sounds and knowledge of what is being said. It may motivate him to write and open up in so many different ways. Teach him silly songs and have him do art projects and crafts with you. Visit different places( even if you have a low budget, try out a children's museum one day, a park the next, walk him to different places in your immediate neighborhood, take him to the library, do puppets and roleplay. It is a lot of work and at times overwhelming but you can spread it out. The key is to have him describe what he sees, draw what he sees and imagines, or simply sit and write his name one letter at a time as he can. Shoe tying is a good skill for a kindergartner to have so make sure he has a pair of tie shoes. Zippers and snaps... seat belts... does he know how to hold a book and turn pages one by one... these are some things that my daughter who is turning 5 this month has been working on in the recent past and some of these things are a work in progress still. All children are different and your son will keep surprising you with new things. Familiarize and stay patient and encouraging while providing opportunities to grow. Be saying your nursery rhymes! play sorting games with blocks or beads or buttons or anything else. Play picture games with opposites like big/ little, and by the way, the diamond shape that we all grew up with is now refered to as a rombus. I know you didn't ask for all of this, but I would like to share my recent knowledge and hope that you may find benefit.

Alicia - posted on 01/13/2010

There are also alot of great websites that you can go on with your son like www.starfall.com. Also, if you google free preschool worksheets, you can get coloring sheets, numbers, pretty much anything you are looking for. My doughter is 4, in public preschool and still isn't writing her name. It is a skill they should continue to work on in Kindergarten. The above post that states write with highlighter and let him copy over that is an excellent suggestion and one that I find works the best!

Stephanie - posted on 01/12/2010

I would not worry to much about #3. My son wrote backwards for awhile but does not now. Legally you also do not have to send your child to kindergarten till he is 7, I did not send my son till he was 6 cause he was not ready. We did send him to preschool, but my youngest son goes to headstart in my community and they are a excellent program, so if you can get him in next year I would definetly. As far as teaching him flash cards are great and just spend at least 30 minutes with him everyday coloring and writing, he will catch on but do it with him sit and write his name he will see what you are doing and he will try.

Alisa - posted on 01/12/2010

i put up around my kitchen table (its the only place we have enough room) posters that i got from the dollar store the abcs and 123s. but you could make your own. and that way he sees it everyday at least 3 times a day and we talk about it all the time! i make games out of counting all the time and we also play a game where he asks me how to spell things. it helps him hear the letters! and then when it comes to writing i just try to let him see things spelled as much as i can. like his name i put it on his door and above his door. hope that helps! good luck! dont get frustrated he will get it when he is ready!!

Rujuta - posted on 01/12/2010

You can buy a practice book from any book store or from costco.Thats what i did initially to make him practice.To encourage him about writing u may try some art activity like water color or crayons at home.My 6 year old didnt like to wright when he was about 4 years old.I tried painting n drawing first n it did work on him.May be it helps u....

Anna-Marie - posted on 01/12/2010

There are lots of things to do to help them...For writing get them to do mazes with a pencil, that's the first step to them writing, it helps them with hand-eye co-ordination and holding their pencil (it's also a fun game that boys love)...there are heaps of resources online that you can print off for them to practice, even websites of t.v. programmes they like have pages you can print off you can use to practice writing & drawing. There is also a website called starfall.com which is awesome for teaching kids the alphabet & getting them ready to read and write letters. For numbers the good old songs are good like 'alice the camel' 'green bottles on the wall' etc, I sing those sorts of songs with the kids when we're in the car and at home & it helps the kids learn counting backwards & forwards (without them really realising it). When they start school it takes the teachers a while to test where everyone is at with their learning, there are always some that are nigh & some that are low so don't worry about that...when my son got tested at school his maths was high but his reading was low and he got put in a group to match the level he was at for each subject which was good because he got extra help for reading and got extended for his maths. The teachers are very good at helping to improve the kids learning & will give you resources to help with his learning at home. My son never felt dumber than other kids or anything like that because he knew that everyone has to learn.

Amber Lyn - posted on 01/12/2010

Try writing numbers and letters in highlighter and he can trace it till he understands, than write it in dots he can connect and from there he should start getting it, As far as counting, say it with him along with flash cards. Visualization is key, And if he is having trouble saying 3, just do your best, They aren't going to deny him schooling, he'll just get extra help.

Jami - posted on 01/11/2010

A friend of mine who is a homeschool teacher gave me some good advice... She use to put shaving cream on the bathroom mirror to help her one son write his name. I used Popsicle sticks to teach my daughter to write her first name. She learned counting by watching dora and playing games on www.pbskids.com Make learning fun for them. Make things fun for your child.

Also, watching the Baby Einstein and Little Einstein works too.

Mickie - posted on 01/11/2010

I think the Leap Frog video system is a good investment. I also think, if you want to go that direction, any of the videos about numbers and letters - for that age would be good - but Leap Frog can grow with him into books to read and math situations as well. That's a great suggestion Maria - but if money is an issue, than good old flash cards and time with mom, making learning fun the old fashioned way may be the best way. Again - these decisions becomes something mom and dad have to work with. And, if project headstart was where you were looking into ... and nursery school is not affordable, than maybe money is something that might be a problem. Your local library might offer some suggestions for you to try as well. Many things can be made at home for very little time and money to help him and look in your local TV guide because many of the cable stations have older television shows that have simple shows on about letters and numbers to supplement your teachings and the library might have DVD's to rent that might help.

Maria - posted on 01/10/2010

Does he know his letters? The best investment I ever made was purchasing the Leap Frog videos that my son learn his numbers and letters before he was 2 years old. He still loves to watch them. My son will be 5 in July. I highly would recommend buying the set of like 5 videos, here is the link:http://www.amazon.com/Leapfrog-Learning-...

If you can't afford the entire bundle then I would recommend: "The Letter Factory" and the "Math Circus"

Good Luck

Mickie - posted on 01/09/2010

If your son is going to public school, they can't turn him away because he can't write his name and count to ten. And, there are 5 months between now and than - which, for a boy is a good deal of time to make some changes. Boys tend to lag behind when it comes to wanting to get into the groove of learning. Missing the 3 when he's counting is probably because he can't say it - but continue to have him count things, not just count. Put things out for him to count - cars, chips, checkers (you get my point). Part of learning is best done in a fun environment. If they think it is fun, they play along. Also, he should start learning to be able to know the numbers when he sees them so flashcards are good. Make 2 sets. Throw one set around on the floor - and have him go and find the match to the one you have in your hand. And, he will have to say it as well. As for writing his name. Easiest way is repitition. Print his name on a piece of tag board (oak tag) and put it as it would be for school, ex: John Smith. Give him a pencil - buy thicker ones at the store ... not thin ones. Show him how to hold it and just let him copy it over and over. Let him write in on things like - placemate for dinner; his marker at the table; on a picture for grandma ... remember, more fun = more success. AND most of all praise the success. You have 5 months. He'll be ready.

Roberta - posted on 01/02/2010

Yes it is true. Most schools have a kindergarten round up before the school year starts. So if he starts school this next year then the round up will be around March or April. They tell you everything they would like him to learn or know when they start school. If he doesnt know everything, most schools have classes for kids to get them caught up. Also at the round up they give you a folder that tells you how they need to learn to write their letters and I believe that they need to count to 20 and they need to know their colors. They also like them to know how to tie their shoes. Most five years olds cant do all of this, the schools just like the parents to get the kids used to what they will be learning in school. I will let you know that if you do not have money for pre-school, some actually have financial assistance. You may have to call around. Skipping over the number 3 is normal for a child his age so I wouldnt worry too much about that. Especially if he cant say it very well, he probably just doesnt want to say it. I would call the school and ask them about this round up...and they may actually be able to give you the info you are looking for and then you will know exactly what will be expected of your son in Kindergarten and expected of you as his parent. They may even have a website that has stuff for you to help him with writing. Well hope this was helpful!