Lefty learning to write - Children's Health Message Board

southpawmom · 02-16-2001, 11:00 PM

Help!!! My 4 yr old is a lefty and is so frustrated with learning to write. I am having a hard time teaching him cause mom is a righty. How do lefty's start their letters, he seems to do it backwards even for a lefty.

Bethanne · 02-19-2001, 12:19 PM

It's hard to explain with out showing, but try turning the paper sideways( so the top of the paper is on his right and bottom is on his left, his arm parallel to his body.) as he writes he'll go towards his body. I am a lefty and this is more comfortable for me.

southpawmom · 04-23-2001, 09:43 PM

Turning the paper just seemed to frustrate him even more. He is going to start Kindergarten in Sept and I hope I can teach him by then. Thanks for giving me something to try.

rina · 06-01-2001, 04:34 AM

turning the papr like bethanne said is the correct way for them anyway. my daughter is left handed and she started kindergarten this year she is having no trouble. the only problem i had is when doing her homework she was doing the letters from right to left sometimes and i went and seen her teacher and she said to encourage her to right her letters from left to right like the right handers (eg when crossing your t's she would go from right to left and so the right way is left to right)
but i would not force the issue to much as they will teach them when he goes to school but they write the basically the same as right handers except the way they hold the paper.