Letters and Numbers

[ehowton]

I'm a unix system administrator by trade. I'm paid to troubleshoot and creatvely come up with solutions. This last week, however, I have had my toughest assignment yet. Teach a five year old to write letters and numbers. I'm just not equiped for this. No amount of patience, determination, brilliance, or creativlty have proven successful. Tools I use every day to solve problems just aren't applicable here. The letter "C" for example seems easy. But no amount of patience produces a written "C." Determination alone won't produce a written "C," nor will brilliance or creativity. Because us parents are required to follow the teacher's instuctions, I was filled with rage when the instructions for the number "8" were, "Draw an "S" and curve it back around." PRIOR TO LEARNING THE LETTER "S!" Speaking of "S" I cannot think of an eaiser letter to produce, yet this too has proved nearly impossible. We tried starting with a "C" to make the "S" but see comments above. I'm just not cut out for this.

Comments

[schpydurx.livejournal.com]

Hey, just thought of something that I had to do when I was learning. I had to trace the letters with my finger several times before I was allowed to "write" it. Then I traced it, then I wrote it without any guide.

Perhaps as we mature, we tend to over-anaylise things and hence complicate what isn't. I know I do. I think that's called creating job security in some circles.

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

I heard two suggestions for doing exactly what you're describing...finger paint in a baggie, and shaving cream on the table. Thanks for the input. I found out last night that at the teacher's suggestion, they're going to bring a tutor in during school hours to help him with his writing.