What Is "Normal" Kinderartener?

Hi T. I am a preK teacher and have also taught kinder she will be fine it is normal do push the issue to much but you want to correct it when she dose it now her coloring skills from what you are saying sounds like she needs to build up her fine motor skill give her one color crayon an have her take her time and color one area of the coloring and tell her to stay in the lines just keep redirecting her to do it the correct way but don't tell her that she is doing it wrong ask her to do it the other way never tell her its wrong and do push do it on her pace..Good Luck she is going to be something great dont worry..
Sincercely:
N.
____@____.com

It is very normal. My brother wrote his b's as d's for awhile. It will change. They are just being loaded with so much information right now. I know my brain would be broken. As for the coloring skills, that will work out as well. I would only start to worry if the teacher comes to you and tells you that it's a problem.

Hi my name is C.. I have worked with children ages 6 wks to 12 years of age since '96. I would say from the sounds of it to ME that your daughter is just fine. I'm actually VERY surprised that she has never written her letters backwards before as this is usually what a lot of children do when learning to write. She could be experimenting or seeing other children doing this. She may just be doing it quick and not really paying as much attention to it. She just started school so she has a lot going on. I'm sure if you give her time she'll go back to writting them correctly. Just work with her and help her. Try not to be real judgmental about it. Ask maybe if she could try writting it the other way, or some other vocabulary that you normally use with her.

I didn't have time to read through the other responses, but I just wanted to throw in that when I was about that age, I used to write certain letters and numbers backwards a lot, and nothing was wrong with me, my Grandma (who raised me) helped me through it in no time.
I'm sure everything is golden and it's just a little step that'll be fixed in no time. Good luck! :)

Mine is only 3 but she seems to be behind in coloring also...I dont know what it is..she also has a really hard time tracing her letters..it is really hard for me to get used to since my mom is an artist and I have some artistic skills also, but I just remember that she excells at other things..I wouldnt worry too much if she is right along with everything else..also is she left handed or right handed?...that could make a difference..good luck

From what i understand, this would be normal. I would watch it and see how it progresses but notbe concerned yet. just like you said. transitional stages and growth periods in a childs life can upset what they already know. for instance, like some children potty train well then 6 months later forget they are potty trained... but always pick it back up again.

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Hi T.,

As one doula to another, I'll tell you what I tell clients (and I'm sure you do too) trust your instincts. If you're not worried, then it's probably fine. Although it sounds "normal" to me (I used to teach pre-school and kindergarten and have a 4 1/2 yr old and 7 1/2 yr old) I would ask her teacher to keep you up to date about any concerns as well as progresses you daughter is making. Good luck

It is very normal for children to reverse letters and numbers, even as they enter into 1st grade. I still have a 4th grader who crosses his T's and dots his I's AFTER he's finished writing out his sentences. No worries at this point. Your daughter is developing and will find her way when the time is right!

Yes reversal of numbers and letters is normal. They usually get it figured out by the end of 1st grade. You need to remember even at the age of kindergardens each one is different. Some are better with coloring some more social, some like books more. Just give your daughter some time and lots of reassurance.

K.

MY DAUGHTER IS 6 YEARS OLD AND WE'RE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I THINK THEY ARE JUST VERY SMART AND SOMETIMES DO IT ON PURPOSE. I TELL HER IT'S NOT FUNNY, REMIND HER HOW SMART SHE IS AND CORRECT HER. WE DO PRACTICE HOMEWORK TO KEEP HER REMEMBERING THINGS PREVIOUSLY LEARNED, BECAUSE SHE IS ALWAYS SO EAGER TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW SHE SOMETIMES LEAVES THE OLD BEHIND. WE ALSO COLOR TOGETHER NEATLY. WE STARTED OFF LAST YEAR TAKING OUR TIME TO DO THAT. THIS YEAR THEY WANT SPEED. SHE IS IN FIRST, SO NOW WE PRACTICE DECENT YET FAST. THE PRACTICE HOMEWORK HAS WORKED GREAT. IT COMES BEFORE THE REAL HOMEWORK, SO SHE IS PREPARED AND THINKING. I ALSO PRAISE HER ABOUT HOW SMART SHE IS, SO SHE CONTINUES TO WANT TO LEARN MORE AND KNOW RECENTLY LEARNED THINGS. SOMETIMES AS WE'RE DRIVING OR DOING NOTHING, I ASK HER QUESTIONS- LIKE SPELL AUGUST. JUST TO KEEP IT GOING! PRACTICING THE WRITING WILL KEEP HER LETTERS FACING THE CORRECT WAY, IF SHE DOES THEM BACKWARDS, SHE USUALLY KNOWS SHE IS AND MAY BE TRYING TO CHANGE SUJECT TO BEING SILLY. I LET MY DAUGHTER KNOW WE WILL PLAY AFTER WE WORK. SHE IS SMART AND IF SHE HURRYS WE CAN PLAY SOONER.

My brother is 11 (ten years between us...my mom is crazy) and he has problems with handwriting. Since your daughter is having trouble coloring, this might be about motor skills. They told my mom that my brother had trouble controlling a pencil, hence the terrible handwriting. They advised her to get him play-dough (you can buy it or google the recipe and make it yourself). They said if he builds with the play-dough at least an hour everyday, she would start to notice his handwriting improve. That's what I would say to do with your daughter. Especially at that age, she'll have a blast with it. It's work for you but fun for her. It's a great way to get some extra time in with her. It's got to be hard to find time to spend together now that she's in school. It's a good idea for a family night too. That way she's building her imagination and motor skills, and getting much needed time with family.

T. my son reversed his letters too when he first started kindergarten. By mid to end of the year he was surprising me with better writing skills and even reading. I wouldn't worry about it just yet. His coloring was awful too and it got better. They are still little before u know it she will be a big girl.

there is no "Normal" at this age, your daughter is among the youngest if not the youngest in the class. Unless you know the exact ages of the other children, I wouldn't worry, but you may want to focus on her fine motor skills, coloring, writing, cutting with scissors. Unless you see no improvement with her coloring over the next 6 months, there is no need to be concerned. Her teacher will be able to evaluate her also and alert you to any potential problems.

It may not seem like a lot, but even at age 5, six months older is a big difference in what a child can understand and do.
Best of luck.

T.- I know this is an old post, but I just wanted to reassure you that letter reversals are very common in young children, especially certain letters (like b and d, for example). When I was teaching, I saw it all the time. Kids usually outgrow it. Your daughter probably already has-- now she must be in second grade! :)

My son turned 5 the first week of Pre-school and he did the exact same things your daughter is doing. He could write his name perfectly before he started school but as soon as he had to do it in the classroom he reversed letters.
After a few months of pre-school, he settled into the routine. He discovered that he loved to color and made an effort to do it well. He also tried really hard to write his name well again. He is doing great in Kindergarten! Give your daughter some time and encouragement, she will figure it out.

I wouldn't be too worried about it. Don't make a big deal about the reversing of letters and numbers. When she finishes her homework ( or whatever she is doing), point out her mistakes and ask her to correct it. If she says it's right, or gives you a problem, just calmly explain that certain letters or numbers are facing the wrong way and even though the letters or numbers are correct, they still need to face the correct way or her teacher may mark them wrong... ask her if she would rather have an E or an S (grades)? Children usually thrive on competition so her wanting to get the best grade (an E) may push her to do it right.

She may not feel challenged enough in class (yet)... believe it or not, a lot of children go into kindergarden without any writing skills at all!

So just be proud of her, and keep encouraging her at all she does!

Good luck!

Hi,
This is totally normal. I am presently teaching first grade and previouly taught four year olds. The reversals are common and sometimes they see others doing that and copy. But it all sort of corrects itself as time goes on. Sounds like your child is fine. Remember, the first month of a new grade is review in most schools. Kindergarten has to cover all bases for all of the students to be on the same page. You should do other enrichments pages and books etc. at home to keep your child interested and going at her pace. Sometimes kids are advanced in the first few years then later they are even with their peers too....... Food for thought.L.

Well I am a pediatric Occupational Therapist and happen to have worked in the schools(elementary) for the past 7 years. An OT specializes in fine motor skills, handwriting, sensory intergtation etc.. I would not worry at ALL about reversals until about second grade, but to point out her mistakes in a fun kind of way. Coloring is also a fine motor skill and since she is close to the youngest in her class I would not worry not should you compare her to her classmates this early in the year. SOme kids may be 1 year older if there parents choose to start them late. If you are somewhat concerned about her fine motor and visual motor skills, do activities with chopsticks, finding small manipulative toys to increase her fine motor skills will help. Regarding visul-motor skills(reversals) games like mazes, hidden pictures and other actvity books as well as using foam soap in the tub to make our letters or draw in sand and rice tables to make the letters correctly can help reinforce it in a non pencil paper task. Good luck and if it continues to be a problem, talk to the teacher about an OT eval....Jen

Hi T.,

Your daughter is right where she is supposed to be! Mirroring letters (writing them backwards) is part of their pre-writing skills and is actually a part of the process! She will straighten it all out this year. You cannot really compare her coloring skills to other children. My son is 4, can write his name and count to 20 in spanish, 30 in english, but does not do a great job coloring. He is just not that interested in doing a good job there. But he can take a screwdriver and take apart a toy to insert new batteries correctly--he will even fetch a phillips or a flathead upon request! So don't worry. Have a chat with the teacher and I am sure if she is good she will reassure you as well!
I worked as a Director of a Pre-School for five years and also have a 2 year degree in early childhood education. She is on track!
Have a great day!
L.

Dear T.,

Don't worry. My youngest did not speak until almost three. Then suddenly she was off to the races. Now her vocabulary and speaking skills are impressive. She also reversed letters and did not color well at all. Now that she is almost six the coloring has improved and she does not reverse letters or numbers as much. It is completely normal. I asked her teacher about it and she said that this is totally normal for five and six year olds.

So there you go. Nothing to worry about it is normal development.

D.