Anyone ever deal with a child who writes letters and numbers backwards?

blessed_with_6 · 04-25-2007, 05:21 PM

Riley is at the end of his kindergarten year, and we are still struggling with this. He did one paper the other day at school that was 100% backwards (numbers). He doesn't do all of his letters..but a good bit. I am not sure what to do or think...and his teacher just says to practice. We are, and we have been. Any ideas?

desertmom · 04-25-2007, 05:29 PM

Yes, yes and yes! His teachers (yes, plural, including his OT, regular tchr and resource teacher) say not to worry - it's just normal in some kids. We do work on it and bring it to his attention. I was worried about dyslexia, because he is right-handed but also creates books that open from the wrong side. He also forms his letters backwards - bottom to top, right to left, etc. They have assured me that he doesn't have dyslexia. They gave me other symptoms that people w/dyslexia have, and that is not him. So, I wouldn't worry.

newlywed0610 · 04-25-2007, 06:28 PM

Yes, it is VERY normal. I have always heard that it is normal until the end of 2nd grade, although I haven't seen much of that. For the most part, it is a developmental thing that can be improved by practice, praise, and consistency. For some students, I have had little "signals" that I give them so they know that the number/letter is backwards, but I do not announce it so the rest of the class hears. I have found that for many students, praise works wonders. When I taught Kindergarten, I made sure that each student had the alphabet chart on his/her desk with the correct letter formation. They were "trained" to check their letters/numbers with the ones on their desk.

I have heard it explained like this: We teach children that a triangle is a triangle - no matter how we turn it. BUT, then we ask them to understand that a number 3 is ONLY a 3 when it is made one certain way. That's hard for some kids' brains to understand.

It can be a slow process for some kids. Don't give up. He will "get" it with lots of practice and praise.

AyeOhKay · 04-25-2007, 08:02 PM

My oldest did this until he was about 6 and a half. We never made a big deal out of it, just kept being conistent with correcting him. He did outgrow it without any lingering problems. I thought it might be because he was left-handed, but apparently it is common for both right- & left-handed children. And, DS is very high IQ. So, no worries there either. Patience and persistence will pay off.

Happymom · 04-25-2007, 09:15 PM

My son that is just finishing 2nd grade did it all the time and he still does occasionally. His teachers told me it is normal (even though none of my other kids did it) He is out growing it finally, so I guess they were right!

merandmalmom · 04-26-2007, 12:05 AM

My daughter used to do it occasionally. Someone told me that when they learn new things they sometimes forget how to do simple things, like writing letters and numbers.

I can tell you that when I was a kid, I could never remember which way a j went. To this day, I still will look at a j and think it's wrong.

desertmom · 04-26-2007, 12:42 AM

My son's name starts with J and he still gets it backward!

80sgirl · 04-26-2007, 05:22 AM

All 3 of my kids did this, and all grew out of it. Its a kid thing. Looking back at old papers, its cute to see.

Claire · 04-26-2007, 08:26 AM

That is so normal! I have to admit, when my son first started doing it (really started only in first grade), I was a bit freaked out, but his teacher reassured me it was normal and not a guage of his intelligence. He stopped doing it mid year and is reading on a 3rd grade level and is making straight A's so I am not so worried now.

Just practice with him.

deemom · 04-26-2007, 02:10 PM

Ok I feel better also because my 6 yr old still does this occasionally.