my 6yr old finds it hard to write in school

[loc991]

My son finds it hard to get his work done, he said it hurts his hand and that he is tired. He is a really good boy, but has bad times, where he gets really angry. He started school on wed (1st class) and told me he had a great time. he was very eager to get to school this morning, and when I got to his class, his teacher said that he was not getting his word done. when I asked he said it hurt his hand, he is left handed, should I encourage him to use his right. he has been using his left for the past two years in school. he also gets letters and numbers mixed up. when I spoke to him this morning he changed his attituded about school and wanted to come home. I felt terrible leaving him. but I really want him to do his best. how can I make it easier for him. he also finds it hard to make friends. finding it hard to follow instruction or conversation with his peers. I dont want to pressure him. what can I do to make his life easier. when he is good he can really focus in school and get his work done.

[Sandman2]

   Very good suggestions by specialmom.  
To answer one of your questions.  NO, you do not encourage him to use his right hand.  You also might want to find out if the teacher is trying to make him use his right hand.  Decades ago, this was done.  It screwed up a lot of kids.  

[specialmom]

Hi,  well---------- couple of things.  Regarding writing, he may have some fine motor issues.  Does he use the proper pencil grip?  I tell my boys to make the okay sign (thumb and pointer finger pinch together in an o and then the other fingres fall to the side of the two pinched fingers holding the pencil).  There is an excellent writing program called "handwriting without tears". YOu can get materials for it at any teacher supply store or on line or used on ebay.  Use short pencils (like golf pencils) and even buy a grip if you have to to help him out.  

Also stregthen his core muscles.  Writing is much more than the wrist.  You can do the wheelbarrow walk (hold his feet and he walks on his arms like a wheelbarrow.  If he is weak, just build it up as you go).  Do the crab walk.  Put coloring sheets or plain paper taped to the wall and have him color upright (uses different muscles than writing on the table and will help him be stronger overall with muscles needed for writing).  Get out play dough and have him play with that. Work silly putty with the hands.  Do the monkey bars.  All of these things will help the muscles he needs for writing.

Make it fun-------- all learning goes best when it is in game form for a 5 or 6 year old.

Now, the other area I worry about is if the work is difficult for him.  That is okay------- he should know that.  What if he has dyslexia, for example?  Reading and writing would be very hard indeed and he would avoid it altogether or be very slow.  YOu want to make sure that there are no learning issues going on.  

His teacher may suggest an evaluation.  I think it would be a good idea.  Motor issues may come into play with scissors, glue sticks and any writing and this would make school really hard on your little guy.  An occupational therapist that the school probably has on staff could help tremendously and access to her comes after the evaluation.  Also there is much they can do with helping a child that either learns in a different way or needs extra help.  It is important to get this for him so that he does not get a bad taste in his mouth about school.  He has many years to go.  YOu also want to protect his self esteem and these years can take a toll that last a life time.

I'd love love love for you to google sensory integration disorder.  My son has this issue and school was very difficult for him.  We've done things to help him so that he functions really well in school and loves it there.  So, several things you mention sound like my son.  

After you google it, let me know what you think.  In the mean time, another important thing for your son would be lots of physical activity.  Get him to parks running, jumping, playing hard.  It will help him with staying orgnanized (his nervous system and brain) in school.  good luck