For younger kids: learning to write

by Brea

My daughter Evie is four going on 15 five, and she is exactly like her mother. And her grandmother. To say that she frustrates me at times is like saying that Texas can get a little warm in August. It's the biggest understatement in the world! I'm telling you this for a reason, I promise. I've just been blessed with the gift of gab. Give me a minute, and everything will make sense ...

One reason my husband and I love homeschooling is you can take a slower pace if needed. There's no need to push your kids beyond what they're ready for, stress everyone out, make school something to be feared and dreaded. School should be a time of love, fellowship, learning, and an open exchange of exciting and energetic ideas. (Cue inspirational music here!) (And yes, I've been called an idealist from time to time.)

My oldest son and daughter are only 14 months apart, so there are many things we're able to do at the same time with both children when it comes to learning. Memory verses? Yes. Science and nature studies? Yes. Reading aloud? Absolutely. Writing? NO. No, no, no, and absolutely not. We were having a great day last week, doing our little math workbook that the kids both love and beg to do more of, and suddenly, the smaller version of myself is pushing every single button I have and telling me she doesn't remember how to write the number 3. Even though she only has to trace it. She can't do it. She (insert a really dramatic sob) just can't do it.

What did I do?? Well, I handled it in the best way possible. I got angry, just about lost my temper, called off school for the day, and sent everyone upstairs to play in their rooms. Obviously the best thing I could have done, right?

Apparently not. I called my very wise personal guru best friend from church who has five kids under ten, and ask her what should I do? In all her wisdom, she reminds me that my daughter is four. She doesn't need to know how to write the number three just yet.

Oh, yeah!! She's only 4!!!!! Come to think of it, I don't know any 10-year-olds who can't write the number three. I feel better already. But as I keep talking to my friend, she suggests that maybe Evie can learn to write in a different way, a way that would be fun for both of us since we really push each other's button on a pretty frequent basis. It was time to put on my thinking cap. I thought long and hard. Then I went to WalMart and browsed the arts and crafts section. And I came up with it! The solution!!

I bought some of that finger-painting paint. A big ole' thing of it. And I bought some cheap, gallon-sized zip lock bags. I came home, put about one cup of paint in the bag, made sure all the air was out, and zipped it up. After I flattened it out a bit, I called Evie in, and told her we were going to practice writing numbers. Her face fell, at least until she saw the bright yellow bag. And we practiced writing numbers and letters through the bag in the paint ... and what a wonderful, non-messy way to use paint!!! We had so much fun that when Sam, my oldest boy, came in, he was very offended that we were having such a nice time without him. What a great problem to have!

So there's my hack for the week. Get creative!! There are no homeschool rules that say you have to use standard, boring workbooks (unless your kids love them and think they're fun). What are your kids having issues with? Have you come up with any fun ideas that some of us could steal take inspiration from? Let us in on what works for your kids, because I think we can all use a little help from time to time to keep things in school fresh and fun. :)

Comments

[Brandon Bowers]

Great story to show when parents and children bond together in the way you all have, everyone benefits. It warms be up inside to see parents being parents and doing their jobs to the fullest. Please keep it up.

[Beckie]

I found getting kid sized chalk boards and letting DD teach me how to write things gives her lots of good practice, with out her realizing that she's practicing :)

[Mrs. Fussypants]

Wonderful!

[Mamabug]

I have found "Handwriting Without Tears" to be a great resource for more ideas like that. Ideas like writing in the air with swim noodles, chalk outside, paint, etc. The one thing that was a big hit with my 6 y/o boy was making a rectangle on the floor with painters tape then having him either line his HotWheels up in the shape of the letter or "driving" them the way that you would correctly make a letter. The tape gives a good boundary and a nice corner for starting at the top.

http://www.hwtears.com/