DD 6 is getting EVERYTHING backwards!!!

[Microcell]

She is in first grade this year and has a large vocabulary and can read correctly most simple words. Her problem is that she gets many numbers and letters backward. The numbers she most consistantly gets wrong are three, five and seven. The rest she gets wrong a good portion of the time. The letters she gets wrong are l, j, t, d, and b.

I did not think it was a big deal, (in Kindergarten they said not to correct her, that is what first grade is for) but her techer- three weeks into the school year says it is a big problem that she gets them wrong so consistantly.

Any first grade teachers or parents care to weigh in about how long it may take her to learn? Do I need to get her a tutor? I have her writing an entire page of 3's right now. We did a story yesterday about numbers and how to start them to go the right direction, and she did over the course of an evening 50 numbers correctly after the story by me just saying, write a 1 or 2 etc...

Today she brought home practice sheets which means she was back to her old backward way! I am soooo frustrated, but on the other hand she is only six!!! Help!!!

 

[Kallison]

Have you had her tested for dyslexia?

 

[mommytutu]

totally normal! My ds is 7 and in 1st grade and he still gets b and d mixed up and 5 and 7. It doesn't mean your kid is slow...in fact, mine is being tested for giftedness. It's normal. Don't worry, but keep reminding her and working with her.

 

[Microcell]

Kallison- I might, but she can read without mixing up the letters- I have her sound out the words and she does it so quickly and accurately that I don't think that is the problem. I am so frustrated that after I talk to her teacher tomorrow I may look into making an appointment with a specialist about Dyslexia.

 

[SnowAngel]

It is normal. I was worried about my second grader who started doing this in kindergarden. The teachers told me it was normal and a lot of the kids do this. She still occasionaly will put words backwards. I asked her second grade teacher and she says she sees it a lot but it usually goes away by the end of the second year.

 

[Daisy Duck 5]

Is she left handed. I think this is a common mistake for leftys.

 

[Microcell]

Originally posted by Daisy Duck 5
Is she left handed. I think this is a common mistake for leftys.

No, but I am and I take great offense!!!!!

Seriously, keep the opinions coming! Snow Angel and Mommy you are making me feel better, though I wonder why her teacher is making us feel bad her about her abilities and with me she is condescending so she acts like she has to tell me how to parent her.

 

[TammyAlphabet]

I think that most kids do this from time to time, don't worry about it, she will get it!!

 

[janette]

This is a recent thread with some helpful information Late reader? My DD is in first grade...

This is a good site for information on Dyslexia Bright Solutions for Dyslexia

It is not outside the norm in 1st grade to still be reversing, if that is the only problem it may just be something that bothers that teacher. There are many different types of dyslexia, many times they can read without problems but have problems with writing or comprehension.

My 10yo DD does have reading problems and still sometimes reverses letters / number. Usually when I ask that she look again she spots the reversal. Sometimes it takes a few times. Once she had spelled bad reversed as dab. I had her read back the letters and she read them correctly but when I asked her what the word was she still said bad and didn't notice the reversals.

As long as she's doing well in her subjects I wouldn't panic but watch. If the teacher is going to lower her grade for those type of errors than I think I'd insist on the school doing some testing.

 

[mrsmom]

My ds did this last yr in 1st grade , But he's better this yr about it. I was told it was normal for littler kids to do this and not to worry.


Kim

 

[katerkat]

I did this and I'm totally normal now (mild dyslexia). I don't know when I grew out of it. But, well, let's just say in first grade, I didn't have a Halloween poster displayed because my witch did not fly over a ditch.

 

[campingcorgi]

It is normal for first graders to do this. It is a normal stage that they go through--both visually and developmentally. Just wait, this stage will pass and another will come along! Most of my first graders will begin to stop this about mid-year but some will continue to do it into second grade.

I would recommend a good eye exam for any first grader that hasn't had one, though. They are really using those eyes a lot and you want to be sure the vision is fine.

 

[Microcell]

Originally posted by campingcorgi
It is normal for first graders to do this. It is a normal stage that they go through--both visually and developmentally. Just wait, this stage will pass and another will come along! Most of my first graders will begin to stop this about mid-year but some will continue to do it into second grade.

I would recommend a good eye exam for any first grader that hasn't had one, though. They are really using those eyes a lot and you want to be sure the vision is fine.

I work for an Ophthomologist and he checks her yearly so that is not the issue, though you are right a child should have their first dialated exam at the age of 5!

 

[Pinnie]

I have been teaching Kindergarten for more years than I care to count and all I can say is it IS normal for a first grader to do reversals. Face it, the world she has experienced since birth has been a 3D one. A real puppy or kitten is still a puppy or kitten no matter which way it faces. Now you are training the brain to look at something in 2D (writing) and expect it to discriminate. It takes time. IF she is still doing it by second grade, or if the problem is severe and interferes with her concepts of print, reading and math, then I would be proactive and have her looked at by the school's learning specialist. It never hurts to error on the side of caution.

Best wishes!

pinnie

 

[luckywife]

Our oldest DS did this exact same thing from the time he was in Kindergarten until about the middle of 2nd grade. We spoke to his 1st grade teacher about it and she told us it's normal and he will eventually get it right and stop doing it. That's exactly what happened. I'm sure you'll find the same thing true for your DD.

 

[klmklm]

I was told that it also helps to practice making the numbers/letters with large motor movements, such as making them with sponge painting on a huge posterboard. Just another way to make the connection, I guess.

 

[crazyforgoofy]

Originally posted by Pinnie
I have been teaching Kindergarten for more years than I care to count and all I can say is it IS normal for a first grader to do reversals. Face it, the world she has experienced since birth has been a 3D one. A real puppy or kitten is still a puppy or kitten no matter which way it faces. Now you are training the brain to look at something in 2D (writing) and expect it to discriminate. It takes time. IF she is still doing it by second grade, or if the problem is severe and interferes with her concepts of print, reading and math, then I would be proactive and have her looked at by the school's learning specialist. It never hurts to error on the side of caution.

Best wishes!

pinnie

Wow Pinnie! That was such a clear explanation. Thanks so much.

 

[gr8tpanther]

My DD10 did that when she was in K and 1st grade so much that I DEMANDED a Dyslexia test. She could write so perfectly backwards that you could read it in a MIRROR!!! The school REFUSED to do the test telling me that she was not dyslexic, she was just a "lefty"!?!? I was really mad because they wouldn't test her and she had reading problems as well, she was not doing very well in reading OR writing. They put her in a special reading class and I made sure to pay attention to her writing more and help her correct it. She is 10 now and does much better with the backwards thing.

 

[MerryPoppins]

I taught preschool and first grade. It's normal. Don't get too worried about it. Sometimes I think stressing the kids can make it more of a problem.

I'd practice, but do it in fun ways instead of making it homework. Put sand in a tray and let her practice writing with her finger. Or put shaving cream on a table and let her write in the shaving cream (kids love this one!). Another idea is to make thick pudding and blob it onto a paper plate. Let her fingerpaint her letters and numbers and then lick her fingers. Jello in a little water works the same way, but it stains the fingers. Give her colored soap and let her paint them in the bathtub.

How about giving her a wand of some sort and having her write in the air? Sometimes using the large muscles to make the letters is easier. Play music and dance around while you write in the air together. I found a penlight one fall that had fiber optic "spangles" at the end that lit up. My daughter liked practicing her writing with her flashlight sparkler. Let her try writing with her toes. Give her a bucket of water and a paintbrush and paint the letters on the sidewalk or driveway. Try sidewalk chalk, too.

Get the idea? If you make it fun and keep her practicing, she'll get it eventually.

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

Transposing letters alone DOES NOT mean a child is dyslexic.

I am a first grade teacher. This is totally normal for many first graders. It is developmental and will correct itself over time.
Show her the right way to write the letters and don't make a huge issue over it.