Writing Speed

Is this a recent development or has your daughter always had trouble wth writing? How does she do wit other fine motor activities? Does she need several breaks during these activities?

Take her to a developmental occupational therapist...who will give you a rating scale (and one for the teachers too). He/she will observe how your daughter functions not just in terms of fine motor skils but also trunk stability (seating is a major source of fatigue which int urn impacts writing) and muscle tone. The person will gve you a 'sensory diet' which is a series of motor activities which train the requisite muscles...if the problem persists, then you can evaluate at her visual processing skills and such.

 Hi Shwetayash,

It may help you to know that different children write at different speeds. Being a little slow at writing does not mean the child is less intelligent. As mentioned by you, your daughter is a good student. If writing is the only problem, you can always work on it.

First of all, decide on the approach you would like to adopt tp work on this issue. And follow through consistently. Children get mixed signals when we as adults react differently to the same problem at different times. As a result, they do not know  we expect from them and stop caring. So, beating her at one time, threatening her another time, rewarding her at one time and speaking with love another time will not be effective. I suggest you stop using beating as an approach altogether, no matter how bad the problem may be. Beating never works in the long run. Neither does threatening. So, forget about beating as well as threatening. 

She is your child. Believe in her abilities. Be firm but be gentle at the same time.

First of all, try and understand why she writes slowly. Is she bored? Is she afraid of something? Is there any physical issue like pain in the hand?  Many children hate to write for varied reasons.Most of the time. all they need is a slightly different approach and a little encouragement. I understand schools put pressure and you may feel worried about her coping in higher classes. However, sometimes we as parents will have to use our judgement wisely. After all, we know our children best.

Adopt a different strategy. Be positive. Encourage her in small steps. Show your confidence in her abilities. Praise her effort whenever she completes some writing. Take it one day at a time.Once she realises that you trust her and that you are consistent in dealing with the matter, she will gradually begin to understand you. Then you can explain to her about why it is necessary to write a little fast sometimes, especially in school. And once she knows that you trust her, she will definitely be willing to listen to you and write a little fast . You will do great. Just don't give up on your child.Check out the following two links to my blog. They are about children and writing. Though I have specifically written about younger children and their writing, you can always see if something similar works with your older child as well. All the best to you :)

http://haripriya-wondersofearlychildhood.blogspot.com/2011/12/children-and-writing-part-1.html

http://haripriya-wondersofearlychildhood.blogspot.com/2011/12/children-and-writing-part-2.html

Teacher complained about the same problem for my son that he writes slowly.He is around 4.9 .But I never think about  threating or  beating him.Some parents in his class do that.So ignore for some time the complains from school.Believe in your child.Try to find out the reason.We know our child best.

Thanx for all your advises. HAve consulted a counsellor and in the midst of tests. Will be able clarify once the tests are done and results are given.

Thanx & Regards

hi shwetayash

so how is ur kid and what is the result and

what did dr. said abt this ?? 

hi! i am also facing the same problem . my son is also very slow in writing. please help if u receive any useful tip.

Many children face problem in writing. In some, it could be related to interests etc , but in some, the child could have an actual learning disability called dysgraphia. The solution to this is to consult a child psychologist for a proper evaluation and insitute remedial programs.