N2 but still can't recognise numbers and letters

[kiasu_pig]

Lili 22:

Teachers of my younger boy have always feedback that his learning progress is very slow since last year. Currently in N2, he is still not able to recognise numbers 1-10 and letters A-Z, not to mention about writing them. I am going through 1-5 with him everyday but he just can't seem to remember.


He starts learning phonics in the childcare and also MMI this year, it looks like he can remember the sound of the letters better than the names. I am worried that when he has spelling in K1 next year, it will be difficult to learn the words by sound right?

His teachers highlighted that he lacks of confidence and we are doing our best to encourage him and praise him when he gets thing right.
When he is motivated, he can remember things better. However, he may know some of the numbers or letters today, but forgotten on the next day.

Anyone has the same problem before? Any advise, good enrichment class / CDrom which I can try?

Was reading thru' the threads and realised that this thread which i had contributed some comments earlier striked me. Was feeling very moody that my 3.5 yrs old DS1 was still not able to recite his 26 letters and count from 1 to 10; he can't read or write (not even trace dotted lines of characters on paper) yet. But just last Sat, we were surprised that DS1 was able to correctly made the sound of the letters from A to Z when asked (he said his pre-school teachers taught him so). But still, can't help concerns on his progress. Just some rantings going thru' my mind at the moment.

[Shoe]

Try doing many hands-on activities with him. Using fingers, trace letters in sand, beans etc… Make learning fun by singing songs, reciting rhymes etc… Youtube has fantastic ABC songs for free. Search for Children’s Songs, ABC. My kid loves ‘Gigglebelly’ ABC song…( I think it’s that…) HTH

[cherrygal]

Watch Sesame Street! Free on OKTO…

[sheron]

Hi

my DS is also in N2. Though he can recognise the letters in the alphabet, he tends to write them in mirror image.

I was told them some kids do that at first. But I am still quite worried cos I cant seem to be able to get him to correct the habit. He can write properly if I write down the letter and he traces it. But if I get him to write on his own, he will write in mirror image again and insisted he was correct! :roll:

Any one who has similar issue and has successfully correct them?

Thks!

[hquek]

hi sheron,


My DS2 is also in N2 this year and he does write some letters in mirror image at times. It’s a bit scary to watch becos I’m always left wondering if it’s a harbinger of ‘greater’ things to come. I think some write in mirror image if they have dyslexia. But I also heard that this is autocorrect when they are exposed to more and more.

The only way out apparently is to have regular practice and correct on the spot. For me, I try to be patient and not get overly excited (by screaming/scolding) when that happens. I’ll just say no, and show him, and make him re-write. Over times it gets lesser though sometimes he will relapse.

[notabox]

Hi Sheron,


My ds1, now in K2, still mix up his ‘d’ and ‘b’ occasionally. He did that all the time when he was younger so don’t be too worry, most children will grow out of it automatically.

For my ds2, I try to make it easier for him to remember by making it fun for him (inspired by Tony Busan’s Mind Mapping method!). For instance, I start by teaching him the letter c, get him to use his LEFT hand to sign the letter c and then say wow, you have a hamburger in your hand! Letter a - is similar to letter c but has a little tail (can use right hand to sign the "tail"). Letter b - is angry with letter a so has its back against letter a - I then get ds to draw a straight line after letter a and instinctively, he will be able to finish up correctly. Letter d - is a copycat of letter c but faces a wall - I get ds to write another ‘c’ after letter c and then add the straight line as the "wall".

Be creative in your teaching as children learn and remember best while playing/having fun.

[sheron]

hi hquek n notabox,


thanks for the tips n reassurance!
i know that these things cant be rushed at times, but still cant help being gan jiong.

i like the tips. Maybe i can try it out and see if there are improvements!

[hquek]

hi sheron,


Important must always remember. Don’t put your child off writing!!! I do make this mistake by being impatient or upset when he did that and realised equally quickly that this will not do. So now trying my best to be as patient as I can be.

It’s important your kid know the correct stroke of writing - beauty can come later. Good luck!

[buds]

sheron:

Hi

my DS is also in N2. Though he can recognise the letters in the alphabet, he tends to write them in mirror image.

I was told them some kids do that at first. But I am still quite worried cos I cant seem to be able to get him to correct the habit. He can write properly if I write down the letter and he traces it. But if I get him to write on his own, he will write in mirror image again and insisted he was correct! :roll:

Any one who has similar issue and has successfully correct them?

Thks!

Yes!

Me! Me!

Success is suuuuweet, sista.
Yes, while for some children it is indeed a phase..
However, parents who have made observation of
such incidences should monitor the occurences to
avoid delayed intervention should it be a confirmed
dyslexia case.

My DD1 cud write and entire dictation piece all from
right to left! Yes, to my extreme horror! :!:
All in perfectly written handwriting too! :faint:

We played letter games and matching games... match cut out letters
to wall frieze letters... whiteboard marker tracing on wall charts
(playing teacher)... ... tracing sandpaper letters... listening
to Handwriting Song CD from Letterland (very cute songs to promote
correct tracing/writing strokes or techniques...

Here's a link to one of my sharings.
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3962&highlight=letterland

Oh yes.. stencils help too, darling!
You may want to read some info here as well. :lol:
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/content/fun-stencil-books-children

This is DD2's before writing (when she was younger)..
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/content/encouraging-your-child-keep-diary

Both my girls write beautifully now... not just correctly.
Check out my DD2's handwriting here..
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/content/p1-written-expression

Beautiful and legible writing is possible.
Start early so they have time to progress and develop their finger muscles.

Try not to quickly say no when you know your child does it the other
way round but instead, firmly and positively note... \"Hmmm... try and
look again \"b\" seems to be written with the tall man first from his head
going doooowwwwn to his feet and then add his BIG belly! Make up yer
own goofy stories. Children will find it less stressful.

Best regards, buds.

[LittlePrinz]

Buy a VTECH children’s laptop. I got one in Winnie The Pooh and it is very effective. Both my children master their 26 alphabets and numbers before they even enter N1 or Pre-Nursery. It was fun to learn.


Every child’s learning ability/speed is different. Your child will get there, just be patient.