<![CDATA[N2 but still can't recognise numbers and letters]]>Teachers of my younger boy have always feedback that his learning progress is very slow since last year. Currently in N2, he is still not able to recognise numbers 1-10 and letters A-Z, not to mention about writing them. I am going through 1-5 with him everyday but he just can’t seem to remember.


He starts learning phonics in the childcare and also MMI this year, it looks like he can remember the sound of the letters better than the names. I am worried that when he has spelling in K1 next year, it will be difficult to learn the words by sound right?

His teachers highlighted that he lacks of confidence and we are doing our best to encourage him and praise him when he gets thing right.
When he is motivated, he can remember things better. However, he may know some of the numbers or letters today, but forgotten on the next day.

Anyone has the same problem before? Any advise, good enrichment class / CDrom which I can try?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/3579/n2-but-still-can-t-recognise-numbers-and-lettersRSS for NodeTue, 05 May 2026 17:17:46 GMTFri, 05 Jun 2009 08:15:02 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to N2 but still can't recognise numbers and letters on Thu, 28 Feb 2013 15:07:53 GMT]]>Yr husband definitely have the right perspective. Voice to text software are also becoming more affordable and who knows, perhaps one day even dyslexics will no longer need to agonize over spelling. We just need to get our kids through this in between stage in one piece and open as many avenues as we can for them.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/963458https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/963458Thu, 28 Feb 2013 15:07:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to N2 but still can't recognise numbers and letters on Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:58:44 GMT]]>

ammonite:
slmkhoo:

Well, I will appeal to the school and MOE when we enrol her in 2014. Hopefully since the ed. psych. did mention in her report that her muscle strength was low which hampers her writing, we can make a case for using a computer for writing essays during exams. Extra time will help a bit but she has other issues too, and if we can relieve her of the writing fatigue, we would like to. She will be taking humanities subjects, which means a lot of essays!


Yes, do appeal. There is always a first for everything. I know there are other kids struggling with this as well. It is a shame to let handwriting difficulties stand in their way, especially when working adults - esp writers! - are using computer all day now.

That's exactly what we feel, and she does want to be a writer! In the early days when I was despairing about her handwriting, my husband always told me to see the the big picture - that she was going to use a computer in later life - so we should just aim for legibility and not worry about beautiful penmanship. And now that she's spent the last 4 yrs mostly using the computer, I hope we will be able to make a case for her using it for essays, at least.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/963032https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/963032Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:58:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to N2 but still can't recognise numbers and letters on Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:49:29 GMT]]>

missk:
I also don't wish to push him too much. In fact most factsheets on child development says some children can grip pencils correctly at age 3, but some cannot. In other countries if you force 3-4 year olds to do worksheets, you might be taken to be crazy pushy mum. But the fact that his behaviour during worksheet time in school is unmanageable, I have no choice but to get him started. He develops on his own schedule I suspect 😞

But I guess can't be rushed. I like the bead threading idea... Will try get bigger ones. I tried grips on slim pencils... But does't fit on fatter crayons that he likes. He loves dot to dot drawing, art and playdoh. I am comforted by the fact that at least his visual and verbal skills seem ok.

I am still unable myself to grip a pen properly till this age. Sighz. I totally understand cramps and tiredness when writing! I used to get cramps doing penmanship exercises after 1 line in P1 *cry* but being perfectionistic I still had slo but neat handwriting
If his behavior during worksheet time is unmanageable, you can talk to the teacher on alternatives. If everything else is good with the school, you can provide other things for him to do during worksheet time, and tell the teacher you will work with him at his pace at home. He may need a lot of encouragement while doing it. If heis getting frustrated doing it in school, only getting scolded and then acting up, it is only aggravating his learning attitude.

He is lucky that you understand the frustrations and discomfort. 3-4 yr is really young to me. No need to let it be a big deal.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/963026https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/963026Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:49:29 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to N2 but still can't recognise numbers and letters on Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:43:38 GMT]]>

slmkhoo:
Well, I will appeal to the school and MOE when we enrol her in 2014. Hopefully since the ed. psych. did mention in her report that her muscle strength was low which hampers her writing, we can make a case for using a computer for writing essays during exams. Extra time will help a bit but she has other issues too, and if we can relieve her of the writing fatigue, we would like to. She will be taking humanities subjects, which means a lot of essays!

Yes, do appeal. There is always a first for everything. I know there are other kids struggling with this as well. It is a shame to let handwriting difficulties stand in their way, especially when working adults - esp writers! - are using computer all day now.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/963023https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/963023Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:43:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to N2 but still can't recognise numbers and letters on Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:25:17 GMT]]>I also don't wish to push him too much. In fact most factsheets on child development says some children can grip pencils correctly at age 3, but some cannot. In other countries if you force 3-4 year olds to do worksheets, you might be taken to be crazy pushy mum. But the fact that his behaviour during worksheet time in school is unmanageable, I have no choice but to get him started. He develops on his own schedule I suspect 😞

But I guess can't be rushed. I like the bead threading idea... Will try get bigger ones. I tried grips on slim pencils... But does't fit on fatter crayons that he likes. He loves dot to dot drawing, art and playdoh. I am comforted by the fact that at least his visual and verbal skills seem ok.

I am still unable myself to grip a pen properly till this age. Sighz. I totally understand cramps and tiredness when writing! I used to get cramps doing penmanship exercises after 1 line in P1 *cry* but being perfectionistic I still had slo but neat handwriting

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/962917https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/962917Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:25:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to N2 but still can't recognise numbers and letters on Wed, 27 Feb 2013 03:24:01 GMT]]>Well, I will appeal to the school and MOE when we enrol her in 2014. Hopefully since the ed. psych. did mention in her report that her muscle strength was low which hampers her writing, we can make a case for using a computer for writing essays during exams. Extra time will help a bit but she has other issues too, and if we can relieve her of the writing fatigue, we would like to. She will be taking humanities subjects, which means a lot of essays!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/962416https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/962416Wed, 27 Feb 2013 03:24:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to N2 but still can't recognise numbers and letters on Wed, 27 Feb 2013 02:47:09 GMT]]>He will be turning 9 this year. I also asked about this (computer) but no one is sure. I have relatives teaching at other primary schools and polytechnics, and so far, none has seen any student with such accommodations. At the most they get extra time for written exams. For written assignments, it depends on the teacher (ds' teacher last yr allowed him to type up unimportant some holiday work).


I recalled reading about a student with serious visual impairment who was given extra time for exams and someone to help read it out to her. But even she had to write it out. It was some years back (she is totally blind now), but when I read that, I was like :stupid:

Hopefully things will change in time to come. MOE is becoming quite open and informed about accommodations. But handwriting therapy has helped my son, I am pretty thankful for that because the amount of writing is seriously... 😓

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/962390https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/962390Wed, 27 Feb 2013 02:47:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to N2 but still can't recognise numbers and letters on Wed, 27 Feb 2013 02:29:14 GMT]]>

ammonite:
Yup, time and crafts will help. Forcing him to write more may backfire as it may reinforce the wrong grip. Ds1 started off with the correct grip naturally, but all the coloring in school turned it into the wrong grip as it pushed him beyond his natural limits. He could write neatly but very slowly and with cramps. He went for handwriting therapy finally at 8 and it has helped a lot. The OT gave him very specific exercises to do and helped him adjust his tension. My wallet is much slimmer now, but homework time is no longer a torture and he is a lot more comfortable.

How old is your son now? Do you know whether using a computer for written work and exams is acceptable in Singapore? My daughter will be going to JC1 in 2014, and I'm seriously considering asking for her to be allowed to use a computer. She is currently educated using an internet school system while we live overseas so she doesn't need to write much, and I can't imagine how she will cope with 'A' levels in Singapore. An educational psychologist who tested her a couple of years ago said that I might be able to request it, but I've not heard of anyone who has.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/962378https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/962378Wed, 27 Feb 2013 02:29:14 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to N2 but still can't recognise numbers and letters on Wed, 27 Feb 2013 02:09:55 GMT]]>Yup, time and crafts will help. Forcing him to write more may backfire as it may reinforce the wrong grip. Ds1 started off with the correct grip naturally, but all the coloring in school turned it into the wrong grip as it pushed him beyond his natural limits. He could write neatly but very slowly and with cramps. He went for handwriting therapy finally at 8 and it has helped a lot. The OT gave him very specific exercises to do and helped him adjust his tension. My wallet is much slimmer now, but homework time is no longer a torture and he is a lot more comfortable.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/962364https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/962364Wed, 27 Feb 2013 02:09:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to N2 but still can't recognise numbers and letters on Wed, 27 Feb 2013 01:56:18 GMT]]>Double post…

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/962356https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/962356Wed, 27 Feb 2013 01:56:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to N2 but still can't recognise numbers and letters on Wed, 27 Feb 2013 01:56:03 GMT]]>

missk:
By the way he holds his pencils, crayons and markers with immature grip... Sometime even palmar grip!!!


Have you tried pencil grippers? I bought mine many years ago from Kinokuniya orchard. It is made in Japan and the package came with an orange gripper (more effective) and a green one.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/962355https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/962355Wed, 27 Feb 2013 01:56:03 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to N2 but still can't recognise numbers and letters on Wed, 27 Feb 2013 01:36:58 GMT]]>

missk:
By the way he holds his pencils, crayons and markers with immature grip... Sometime even palmar grip!!!

Focus on motor skills first & not writing. Activities such as beads & thread (get the bigger ones), play dough, cut & paste & using crayons to trace the dotted pictures willbe fun & helpful. My P2 girl had motor & speech issues till K2. Give your kid more time & do not push him too much. Every child development is different. He should be ready for P1 as long as his writing is readable.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/962340https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/962340Wed, 27 Feb 2013 01:36:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to N2 but still can't recognise numbers and letters on Wed, 27 Feb 2013 01:18:40 GMT]]>My daughter has problems with fine and gross motor skills; she’s probably dyspraxic though we didn’t take her for a formal assessment for that. She couldn’t hold a pencil properly for years - she started to write a bit around 4yo but very illegibly. Even now, at 16yo, her pencil grip is not good and she has weak muscles. Still with patience and frequent practice, she could write untidily but more or less legibly by P1 and fairly OK (on the line, reasonably formed letters) by P3. That is way behind ‘normal’ kids, but still, she has coped in school all these years. I’ve just always told teachers that she has motor skills issues and to let her be, and they have been OK with that. But that was not in Singapore and she hasn’t had to take PSLE or ‘O’ levels. For your son, just go easy on him and give him a couple more years to develop his muscles through all the play and activities you are doing already.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/962332https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/962332Wed, 27 Feb 2013 01:18:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to N2 but still can't recognise numbers and letters on Tue, 26 Feb 2013 16:04:21 GMT]]>By the way he holds his pencils, crayons and markers with immature grip… Sometime even palmar grip!!!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/962199https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/962199Tue, 26 Feb 2013 16:04:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to N2 but still can't recognise numbers and letters on Tue, 26 Feb 2013 15:58:52 GMT]]>Sorry to post here, but seems related since we were talking about development of children aged 3-4+... My son in N2, only 39 mths old now. He can recognise most letters and numbers, and started recognising some easy sight words. He is now trying to pick up phonics... I am not worried about that. But for his life, cannot hold a pencil to write! His school demands some handwriting which is too difficult for him, so he gets frustrated and disruptive. We go for OT since he is a little \"hyper\" and need to work on social skills. At home, we play finger painting, dot to dot tracing, play doh, pasting art activities etc...We even do lots of handwriting tracing giant letters, which he likes... I don't want to overkill on that. Any other tips to develop fine motor skills in this age group?

:thankyou:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/962196https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/962196Tue, 26 Feb 2013 15:58:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to N2 but still can't recognise numbers and letters on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 11:31:50 GMT]]>N2... 4 years old. I thought they should not start having pressure? Just put up a lot of books and switch off the TV. Put that newspaper away and read every night to the child. I'm sure the kid will read one day... Well, sooner or later, the kid will read, ha ha... trust me... 😉

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/288837https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/288837Wed, 03 Nov 2010 11:31:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to N2 but still can't recognise numbers and letters on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 01:16:59 GMT]]>Ooh er, think I didn't reply to topic. :oops:


All I know is, read a lot to your child. Stick to the stories or themes he/she likes best. The only thing we that that was educational at that age was perhaps Richard Scarry's Best Ever ABC video.

Kiasu_pig, sounds like your kid is doing fine - he's picking up knowledge in a stress free, natural way. Don't think my son knew the letter sounds at 3.5yo! He did read, but by sight. SO it really depends on the exposure you or the school provides, because at that age, they will pick up a lot from their environment. Don't worry about who's doing what at what age. When the time comes, your kid's abilities will naturally kick in. Just make sure the environment is rich with learning opportunities.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/288187https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/288187Wed, 03 Nov 2010 01:16:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to N2 but still can't recognise numbers and letters on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 15:17:08 GMT]]>

kiasu_pig:

Was reading thru' the threads and realised that this thread which i had contributed some comments earlier striked me. Was feeling very moody that my 3.5 yrs old DS1 was still not able to recite his 26 letters and count from 1 to 10; he can't read or write (not even trace dotted lines of characters on paper) yet. But just last Sat, we were surprised that DS1 was able to correctly made the sound of the letters from A to Z when asked (he said his pre-school teachers taught him so). But still, can't help concerns on his progress. Just some rantings going thru' my mind at the moment.
Hi

you may like to try a modified \"orton-gillingham+montessori+ behv\" method

a) say & trace each letter at the same time (do 5-10 rep). work with groups of letters that look similar visually eg m/n, c/a/d/q (this is 'chaining')
b) writing - use sandpaper under the paper (tactile feedback)
c) talk or make stories abt letters ( as per suggestion of BUDs & other mummy)
c) work with different materials - clay, playdough, etc (raise interest/arousal level + kinesthetic input)

By using a multi-sensory and verbal approach, you are teaching the child how to activate kinesthetic memory in learning. Some children are kinesthetic learners & may not learn well using the typical \"look & hear\" or visual-auditory mode.

It is quite okay for an average 3.5 year old to know only some letters.

Most kindergartens would expect a child to know all letters by May of K1 (latest). If your child's kindergarten's std is high, then he will be considered slow even if he is still in Nursery.

It's not advisable to let things be if your child is very unhappy in school due to \"high standards\". Perhaps consider changing school so that he can learn at a comfortable pace. Preschool years should be happy. Do spend more time so that you can monitor, esp if there is a family history of learning difficulties.

Listen to your instinct & balance 'ks-ism'. Nobody here knows yr child like you do.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/288064https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/288064Tue, 02 Nov 2010 15:17:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to N2 but still can't recognise numbers and letters on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 04:03:47 GMT]]>Forgot - Thomas the Train. Toys, books, videos. He did’t like the videos too much though, and stopped completely one day. Thought it was violent cos they always had train crashes.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/287549https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/287549Tue, 02 Nov 2010 04:03:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to N2 but still can't recognise numbers and letters on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 04:00:39 GMT]]>Just chanced upon this thread.


Brings back memories! N2, that’s 4yo.

Richard Scarry, absolutely!! All of the books though. We only had the Best Ever Alphabets video.
Kipper - books and video. My son talked like angmoh after that. Maybe watched too much, eeks.
Lego Lego Lego

I bought some colouring books based on Richard Scarry, but all untouched cos he disliked drawing/writing. Probably started writing when he turned 5.

Very fun and adorable age!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/287548https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/287548Tue, 02 Nov 2010 04:00:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to N2 but still can't recognise numbers and letters on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 03:46:17 GMT]]>IMHO, let each child set their own milestone.


DD is going to be 13 months young.

For acknowledging people, she can only say \"Papa\" and \"Mama\".
So everyone is either papa or mama :love:

But her very first word was \"Rooster\".
That, she managed on her own, no coaching.
And maybe because we have free range chickens roaming around our neighborhood and I'd always said to her, \"One rooster, cockle doodle doo!\".

Her favourite words now are:

1. Dog - every animal we come across now is a dog.

2. Ball - every round object to her is a ball, including her own head and balloons.

3. Light - when asked where is the light, she enjoys pointing upwards at ceiling lights or towards the light source e.g. lamps, and she will say \"灯\" when doing so.

4. Bird - every flying thing is a bird, including butterflies and dragonflies.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/287531https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/287531Tue, 02 Nov 2010 03:46:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to N2 but still can't recognise numbers and letters on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 03:40:55 GMT]]>

RRMummy:
SaSaMum:

Now I'm teaching her spelling, starting from number spelling. Not sure is it too early to do that.


I think if it is learnt as a song it is surely not too early and plus it's fun! 😄

Number Song (Tune of Are You Sleeping?)
O-N-E 1, O-N-E 1,
Number 1, number 1,
T-W-O 2, T-W-O 2,
Number 2, number 2
TH-R-EE 3, TH-R-EE 3,
Number 3, Number 3,
...
...
...

Can add on the numbers gradually...

:celebrate:

I'm going to try this with DD.
Thank you for sharing RRMummy.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/287527https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/287527Tue, 02 Nov 2010 03:40:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to N2 but still can't recognise numbers and letters on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 02:43:31 GMT]]>

SaSaMum:
Now I'm teaching her spelling, starting from number spelling. Not sure is it too early to do that.

I think if it is learnt as a song it is surely not too early and plus it's fun! 😄

Number Song (Tune of Are You Sleeping?)
O-N-E 1, O-N-E 1,
Number 1, number 1,
T-W-O 2, T-W-O 2,
Number 2, number 2
TH-R-EE 3, TH-R-EE 3,
Number 3, Number 3,
...
...
...

Can add on the numbers gradually...

:celebrate:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/287462https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/287462Tue, 02 Nov 2010 02:43:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to N2 but still can't recognise numbers and letters on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 17:43:41 GMT]]>

autumnbronze:
Hey DesertWind,



You'll 'see the day soon' enough 😄

One step at a time, ok? Don't get too caught up in the tracking of milestones. Its just a rough guide, not cast in stone (personal take).

My own nephew started speaking formally when he was past 3.5 yrs.

:celebrate:
My girl used to speak 2 - 3 word sentence. I was abit worried as other kids of her age already speaking in full sentences. But ever since she started pre-nursery she starts to talk quite alot more. Now she can even talk back and talk like the way I talk. She will be 3.5 yo this month, have a feeling that my girl has grown up.

Now I'm teaching her spelling, starting from number spelling. Not sure is it too early to do that.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/287274https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/287274Mon, 01 Nov 2010 17:43:41 GMT