Mirror Writing in 4/5 Yr Old

As a first grade teacher I can say that this is very normal for her age and being left handed but there are things that you can do.
I have them fold their writing paper in half and always be aware of which side to start on. Put a red dot where she should start her name on the left side of the paper. Also have her write letters or marks beginning, middle, and end on the paper. This cultivates "brain order" or being more aware of the order of writing.
For instance everyday they get a piece of writing paper for children available at school supply stores with lines on the paper and it is best if you can get the one that has a red line for the baseline. I cut the paper in half. Then they are taught to fold it in half and be aware of the beginning, middle and end. We say it over and over as they write on each line.
Suzy
Aa Aa Aa
Aa Aa Aa
Aa Aa Aa
etc
We do this each day with each letter and say out loud big A, little A, beginning, middle end and they will with repetition learn where to start writing.
Thanks for caring.

You are write. Writing letters backwards is common until they have had 2 years of handwriting practice. A great handwriting practice workbook that our Occupational therapists use/parents too, is called Handwriting Without Tears. You can buy online or our Mardels has it here in Midland. Just to be on the safe side, you might watch a free webcast called "Could It be Dyslexia?" at www.Brightsolutions.US I am a specialist in Midland and some of our kids do the mirror writing at an early age. If I can help, let me know. L.

I am a lefty also, and I remember having this problem also. In fact, I can still do it now if I choose too! Just have her keep practicing, she'll get the hang of it. Lots of constant tracing repetition will help her brain learn which way her hand should be moving to write the letters. Maybe if you could write with YOUR left hand you could show her the pattern of how she should be moving her hand. DON'T show her how to do it with YOUR right hand- watching other righties is what caused me to do the mirror writing.

Okay...

Mirror writing is developmental, but you should watch (without saying anything, other than to correct how she should be writing) to see if it clears up/becomes normal or if it continues.

Also, is your granddaughter ambidextrous or left handed?

If she is simply left handed she could be doing this as she is "mirroring" a right hander she is watching. The best thing you can do then is to sit across from her to write, this will allow her to see it from a different perspective and my help her to turn the letters around on her own (so says the right-handed child of a left-handed mother, this was suggested to my mon when teaching me to write).

If she is ambidextrous, watch her over the next couple of years to see if "developmental" faux pas such as the mirror writing, correct over the time. If not, have her tested for dyslexia.

This is a far more common challenge for the average person than most people realize. There is not one thing wrong with her if she is, simply that her brain processes incoming written material differently than average.

The reason I ask about the ambidexterity is that this condition is found more in children who start off ambidextrous versus naturally choosing one hand versus another...The accepted reason being that both sides of the brain are vying for focus thus causing the information to become jumbled or turned around...

So...at the moment, gently correct her and show her the correct way to write...but watch her for actual development over the next two years...

I knew my daughter was ambidextrous because I saw the signs in her from an early age, she struggled in much the same way with writing and reading as my brother did growing up (due to limited knowledge in the late 70s early 80s my brothers challenge was not discovered until much later). I fought to have my daughter tested in the 1st grade because was getting worse and not better. Typically dyslexia testing is not offered until the 2nd grade or a child is performing so poorly in reading and writing that they want to rule it out as a possibility.

Good Luck... ;-)

Most likely not dyslexia and is nothing to worry about. My aunt, youngest sister and my son are all lefties and all did this same thing. It's completely normal because they see how we are writing as righties and trying to duplicate that so it comes out backwards.

So I would just get one of those practice books and have her practice over the summer. I'm sure her teacher will have no problem as most other kindergartners will be in the same boat!

I am a reading facilitator and do dyslexia testing for my school district. I'm sure you will receive lots of advice to have your granddaughter tested for dyslexia, and it's true that this COULD be a sign of dyslexia. In fact, dyslexia seems to be more prevalent in left-handers than in right-handers. However, four is very young for looking at dyslexia. Most likely, this issue will straighten out during kindergarten or early first grade. In the meantime, you can practice with your granddaughter by having her trace, copy, and simply reminding her (gently) to look over any letters that are backwards. Then, if you continue to see problems well into the second semester of first grade, you can pursue testing at that time if you feel it is warranted.

Have her checked for dyslexia by a qualified psychologist. My daughter did the same thing at that age and she is left handed as well. We had the school check her a few times, and they said she wasn't dyslexic..they were WRONG. She suffered needlessly until we took action with the right doctor and got her help. Please don't make our mistake and think the school will fix it.
Blessings,
D.

I don't have a suggestion but I have a daughter with the same thing!!! She will be 5 in August. I am a teacher and this is completely normal. Does she write "normal" sometimes because my daughter will will write it mirror image and then state ,"Oh, I wrote it the wrong way!" I don't see any problem with this, their brains just work differently and she is left handed too. I almost hate to try to correct it because I met a known writer who actually encouraged this type of writing. I think as long as she sometimes writes the "correct" way she will be fine, but as she enters the 2nd grade and still has "issues" they will want to test her. I also am one that hates to put this issue into a box. I think that sometimes we follow the rules a little too close for comfort in this area. Their little minds work wonders and I love to see what children can do without having to put a label on it....This is just my opinion on the issue. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

M.

Hi K.,
It is so refreshing to see other grandmothers on this site. We all care so deeply for our little ones.
I would first have her checked to see if she has dislexia- being left handed should not cause this to happen.

Often, when little ones are first learning to write they will get things backwards- but I would still have her checked before she starts school. There are specific programs they have for children with this issue, even begining in kindergarten.
If the test show she does not have dislexia then, just working with her should solve the problem. It is really good that you may have caught this early.
good luck and blessings

My 10 year old is a lefty and did the same thing. It gradually went away during kindergarten. By 1st grade she wasn't doing it anymore. My daughter was also a 'young' kindergartner (birthday July 28). I think lefties are more prone to it. It may bring you some peace of mind to know that my daughter is in the Gifted and Talented program at school and doesn't have any learning issues whatsoever. I wouldn't worry too much about it--the teacher will let you know if it is a problem. I never put any pressure on my daughter--I praised her for writing her name in a mirror image (which actually seems a lot harder to do than writing it correctly) just as much as when she wrote it the right way around. I think trying to 'correct the problem' might make her feel like she is doing something wrong or bad and actually make things worse. The name of the game at this age is stress-free learning-through-play! Best of luck to you. :-)

She may be dyslexic, but it is a little early to tell. You can have her evaluated by ECI if you are concerned. There should be a contact in the school district.

Grandma, I would say there is nothing to worry about, she's a head of most 4/5 years old, I see. Most come to the classroom with little to no letter writing.

A fun activity to help her is put shaving cream on the kitchen table (cheap white Colgate brand), and have her use her finger to trace the letters, kids love this activity and your table will be so clean and smell so good.

If there is an issue her teacher will spot it and get her tested. Remember, the public school system should test her, and it should not cost you a dime. Most dyslexia is not apparent until the child starts to read.

you need to have them check her for dyslexia. My daughter who is now in her 30s had it and did the same thing.. the schools have a testing that they can do and it will help her get it taken care of.. My daughter was a good student and reads all the time.. I am thankful that her teacher in 1st grade helped us get her tested. Good luck with her and give her hugs.. she can't help it but can be helped.. S.