my kindergartener cries when he has to write in school

does anyone have any suggestions for the normal child with no add /adhd or odd problems who just breaks down in school when he has to write alot or in anticipation of getting certain schoolwork?

[margypops]

My first thought is what pressure is he under, what exact age is he ? has he a demanding parent or teacher ?

[specialmom]

I would google sensory integration disorder and motor planning.  My son was very much like this over the issue of writing.  It was difficult for him.  Kids that have a hard time doing something often will just simply avoid it.  They act like they can do it but just hate it or it bores them or whatever.  It is frustrating beyond belief for a child.  Scissors would likely also be difficult for a child with trouble writing.  

Most schools have occupational therapists on staff to help.  My son worked with a private occupational therapist on hand writing for a long time.  It helped so very much and it is not a problem anymore.  His handwriting isn't perfectly neat but he can do it and it doesn't cause a "fight or flight" response in him anymore.  I'd talk to his teacher and school counselor about getting an occupational therapist involved.  They have grips, games, and exercises that they do with kids to help them along.  

Here are some things you can do at home-------- first, core muscles for writing need to be strong.  Here are some exercises you can do with your chid that helps-------  do the "wheel barrow" walk.  Hold his feet and he  uses his hands to walk.  He may only be able to take a couple of steps (with his hands) at first but you build up.  Push ups also help.  Animal walks such as bear walk or crab walk also help with core muscle strength.  Try to hang him off a monkey bar for shoulder stability.  

Then get something like play dough which is easy easy easy to make home made (do a google search or write me) and you hide things in it for him to use his hands to search through it.  They make putty for this as well.  You could put little toys, coins, paper clips, whatever in there that he searchs and pulls out.  Have him grip and squeeze it.  Pull it apart.  Silly putty works the  hand muscles too.  

Then do some vertical drawing or coloring.  Tape some coloring sheets up on the wall and then he stands to color it.  This up and down is actually very stregthening and helps with hand writing.  I use those big coloring pages for this.  Using an easle works for this too.  I got a table dry erase bourd easle and we work on that all the time.

Hand writing without tears is an excellent writing program.  You can find it in any teacher resource store or online.  My boy went through all stages of it.  In first grade, kids write a lot and are expected to print.  So the printing book is what he wants to work for. But even if you just start with simple letter books, it is worth it.  Short pencils work best like a golf pencil.  It promotes good grip.  We use a "write smart" grip which is the most favorite we've ever tried.  

Then make it fun.  First it is about comfort of doing it.  Get something like a chalk board and let him trace over what you write.  YOu do it with chalk or even just a wet cotton ball.  Erasing the board is also muscle work for writing.  But just make it all fun and a game.  I did things like say we were going to make a roller coaster and he'd go crazy making a fake rollercoaster-------- practice working with pencil and paper in a relaxed way.  

Homework at home should be 15 minutes at most.  I'd do it AFTER he's had some kind of physical activity and give him a piece of gum while doing it.  

All suggestions that have helped us.  Can you imagine how frustrating 1st grade can be if writing is hard for you?  It is 50 percent of what they do.  Every day would be a nightmare.

Also something to be said for the crying may get him out of it.  So stay calm but don't give in.  Just help his comfort level.  good luck

[specialmom]

WAIT!   I see he is in kindergarten.  Start with the letter books and know that you should tackle this now as 1st grade has a good portion of the day in writing whether it is math, science, or writers workshop and spelling.  Kindergarten----------  honestly, my kindergartner (I've got one of those too)---------- is a lot of writing as well.  

Ask for occupational therapy help at the school to help.