All About Handwriting

[Imami]

I am curious, how does stencils help in handwriting? My child just turn 4 last month, writes ok (given his age) - R like R, q like q, only occasionally the 6 ends up being a mirror image (and it’s only 6! Even 2 and 5 never have prob before). He grips the pencil correctly and consistently so.


But, he does not like to write repeatedly. When requested, he would do it but he finds writing exercises a bore. If there are ways to make his practices more interesting, I am most happy to try out.

[Angelight]

Hi desertwind, where did you get the kumon workbooks?


My DD's handwriting is too big and a bit messy. :slapshead: I saw from her school worksheets and decided to grill her on her handwriting. Apart from making her practise writing sentences, what else can I do to help improve her handwriting? She has already done those upper/lower case tracing alphabets and numbers workbooks. So what's next? :?:

DesertWind:

I found those Kumon workbooks such a God-sent! Mainly because my boy took one look, turned away, then did a double-take and turned back again to look at the colourful pictures. Then he was so curious he sat down to look at the colourful little pictures on the first page of the \"Upper Case Letters\" workbook. I then encouraged him to draw lines following the dotted lines in the workbook and then the rest is \"history\". He started beginning of this year doing the first workbook I bought for him and he has sinced completed FOUR workbooks! Yes, I could hardly believe it myself!

He has completed:
1. Upper Case Letter
2. Lower Case Letter
3. Numbers 1-30
4. Simple Maze

My boy 4.5 yo is now working on 3 books at the same time ie. the \"Rhyme Words\", the \"Numbers 1-120\" and \"My first book of MAZE\". Now, every morning at about 10 am after he bathe, he will pick up the 3 books and sit down at his square Ikea table to do his writing. We let him choose which book he wants to work on first. Usually he will do the \"numbers\" first since he like it, then do the \"alphabet\", then lastly do the \"maze\". He can actually sit for about one hour and once even 1 1/2 hr!

I am glad I have found something that my boy is interested in and Kumon workbooks allows me to systematically let him learn through by doing the work himself. I think he finds it satisfactory as well being able to complete and do so much writing.

Thank you Kumon!

[DesertWind]

Angelight:

Hi desertwind, where did you get the kumon workbooks?

Hi Angelight,
You can get the kumon workbooks from Popular bookstore at Thomson Plaza as well as there is a \"Discovery\" bookstore selling kids' toys and educational products also at Thomson Plaza!

After the upper and lower case, can do numbers and I am now using those \"Rhyme\" kumon book for writing lower case words. Think got to give my boy a break then do again later on because he tends to \"forget\" after a while! Also I don't want to overload him with too much repetitive writing over a prolonged period in case it turns him off instead....

Not sure, any parents got any advice about this? Whether to do consistent writing exercise or give it a break then do again?

[autumnbronze]

Hi DesertWind,


Many thanks for your input on the Kumon workbooks.

Will check them out when I am in Popular next!

:hugs:

[DesertWind]

autumnbronze:

Hi DesertWind,

Many thanks for your input on the Kumon workbooks.
Will check them out when I am in Popular next!
:hugs:

You are welcome, autumnbronze!
BTW, remember that bookstore at Thomson opposite POSB? The one which sells those phonics CD/DVD? That store has got a lot more selection of Kumon books than the Popular bookshop so you may wish to drop by there instead. I think this shop is call \"Discovery Bookstore\" or something.

Hope your boy will like it too!
:hi5:

[iLoveChubby]

Hi DesertWind!

I am also now into Kumon workbooks for my K1 boy.. I just ordered a couple of them from SMH forum bulk purchase, they are selling $8.90/book instead of $11.90 outside (excluded delivery).
Generally the Kumon workbks look more \"friendly\" than the normal assessment books, I guess that is why my DS also doesnt mind doing them.
I made my DS do afew pages everyday but switched around writing letters, doing mazes, colouring so that he wont be bored.

My DS is also taking Kumon Maths (weekly classes) which i thk had quite a direct impact on his writing strokes (altho' it is just numbers that he is writing...) - he used to hv v terrible handwriting but now at least legible.

[Angelight]

Thanks, desertwind! I will check out the books at Thomson Plaza.

[DesertWind]

iLoveChubby:

Hi DesertWind!

I am also now into Kumon workbooks for my K1 boy.. ....I made my DS do afew pages everyday but switched around writing letters, doing mazes, colouring so that he wont be bored.

My DS is also taking Kumon Maths (weekly classes)

Hi iLoveChubby,
Thanks for sharing!
Yeh, me too switch around the books so my boy won't be bored!
Wow, you attended Kumon classes too! I have yet to start my boy on \"Simple Addition\" or \"Simple Time\" yet although I have already bought the books and his kindy is going to teach time in Term 3! I tried to teach my boy time using magnetic tiles but he does not seem to be interested. Guess will try during the June hols. using the Kumon books see whether that will work better!

What do you think of the Kumon classes? What's the difference between going for classes and using the DIY books?

[autumnbronze]

DesertWind:

autumnbronze:

Hi DesertWind,

Many thanks for your input on the Kumon workbooks.
Will check them out when I am in Popular next!
:hugs:

You are welcome, autumnbronze!
BTW, remember that bookstore at Thomson opposite POSB? The one which sells those phonics CD/DVD? That store has got a lot more selection of Kumon books than the Popular bookshop so you may wish to drop by there instead. I think this shop is call \"Discovery Bookstore\" or something.

Hope your boy will like it too!
:hi5:

Hi DesertWind,

Yup, know that store.

Will check it out.

Thanks for the lobang :hugs:

[buds]

The Kumon Phonics Kits are good too!

I have the Telling Time one as well. I
bought them to standby for chubs. :please:

I find them handy n compact for something
to occupy children on the move. Apart
from the iPad and iPhone. :politebleah: