Letter band

As mentioned in the previous post on 03/08/15, letter reversals are not uncommon to see among children up to the age of 7 years old.  As children's little brain becomes mature, they will improve the sense of their body. They will learn left and right side of their body and their surroundings. As they develop the sense of directions, they will be able to differentiate those mirror image letters (i.e. letter b and d, p and q). 

This is my kindergarten student. Although it is not uncommon to see the letter reversals at this age, you surely want to encourage your child to learn the directions of the letters.

He is holding a thick rubber band around his hands.  I ask him to stretch it out as much as he can, which will provide him sensory input and enhance attention span.  I put those letters with velcro, so I can simply detach the letters and change letters.

Then I call out a letter, either b or d at a time. He will touch the letter with his thumb (letter b with his left thumb and letter d with his right thumb).  When you call out the letter, do not make patterns such as calling out b, d, b, d, b, d and so on.  Make it unpredictable.

If you want to make it as an eye-exercise activity, you will simply ask your child not to move his/her head while looking at the letter. If your child keeps moving his/her head, then you gently place your finger on his/her chin to provide tactile cues.

This activity can be used not only for the letter reversals but also for letter recognition.  Is there any letters that your child get confused? Put those letters on the rubber band and practice, practice, practice.  Your child can get kinetic and sensory input by stretching the rubber band, eye exercises (visual shifting & tracking), and enjoy time with you!

Enjoy learning~! Enjoy teaching~!
    

Letter Reversals

Are you concerned about your child's writing letters or numbers in reversed direction? Letter b and d, letter q and p, the directions of the letter z and s, or writing "der" instead of "red", etc...
Experts say children frequently have letter reversals when they first learn to write due to their immature brain. Therefore, it is not uncommon to see children up to 7 years old making letter reversals.  Are you still worried?

I would like to share one activity that can enhance differentiating the letters, listening and visual skills.

First, I will have my kids dictate random letters such as d, b, p, and q that they get often confused. I will call out those letters but will not make patterns of the letters.  You can start with only two letters (i.e. 'd' and 'b').  Remember not to make patterns.

(Sample)
d  d  d  d  b  b  d  b  b  d  d  d  b  d  d  b  b  b  b  b  b  b  d  d  b  d  b  d  d  b  d  d  d  b  b  b  d  d  d  b  d  d  b  b  b  d  d  b  b  d  d  d  b  b  b  b  d  b  d  d

After they finish writing the strings of the letters, they will cross out one letter from the beginning.
(Sample Instruction: "Cross out all the letter 'b' from the beginning.")

This activity will help kids to differentiate the letters by repetitive writing and canceling.  It will also enhance their listening skills by dictation of the letters.  Last, they will improve visual skills by letter cancellation.

Don't forget to give your child a prize for his/her good effort, not only for the result.

Please do some reading on Letter Reversals by the Public Schools of North Carolina, Department of Public Institution (DPI).  You will find out many suggestions on the website.


Enjoy working with you child~!