We were at the kitchen table, finishing up our valentines for tomorrow's festivities, and Michael had been working diligently to write an "M" on each card.
Do you recall from our childhood days that each package of valentines usually contained a couple of larger cards for the teachers? Michael's set of valentines did and I noticed on one of them that, in the larger space available, he attempted to write more of the letters of his name. He said something about not remembering what one of the letters looked like. I was curious to see how close he was able to come to writing his name (copying my writing) so I handed him a larger piece of paper with his name printed at the top.
Look what he did:
It may not seem like much to the untrained eye (you can click on the image to enlarge it) but ALL of the letters are there! The "M" is largest and in the middle. "I" is just to the right of "M". "C" is confused about where it should face, but is next to "I". "H" is below "M." "A" is to the bottom left of "M". "E" to the right of "M", and, finally, "L" above "C".
Michael is still needs lots of work on pencil grip and control. His fine motor skills are fairly weak. But I had no idea he could do this and it absolutely blows me away...
Michael's path to being a full-fledged reader and writer is already so different from his sister's. And I find myself, embarrassingly, relieved that I am just as able to celebrate his accomplishments, on his own timeline, as I was/am Harper's.
I'm so proud.
*****
Speaking of writing - I entered a local writing competition today. It is something I have wanted to do for years. Clicking that submit button was honestly one of the more terrifying moments of my life, but I did it. So, regardless of the outcome, I'm a little proud of myself, too. But I don't want to jinx anything, which is why I'm telling you in tiny font. Oh, and don't worry, I proofread it much more carefully than I proofread these blog posts!
10 comments:
I love the way he wrote it. It seems like someone more artistic than I am could take that and make it a very nice framed piece for a child's room.
Ooh that's a good idea Swistle. I did tape it to a kitchen cabinet - but framed art would be much better!
Wow I feel like a failure. All K can do is write a T and an O. Like the easiest ones, and not the letters in her name. She just wants to scribble. Sigh.
I totally relate to the different journeys amongst the kiddos. I had David trace his name on his Valentines, but I know that at this age, Katy could've written the whole alphabet fairly legibly. But I think that makes me even more proud of his accomplishments - because sometimes they take you by surprise.
That's awesome! I just wrote Kelly's name on hers, because she is nowhere ready for that. She just scribbles, but she can recognize the "K" and points it out everywhere. I love the kind of surprise Michael gave you--you should be a proud mama! :)
I am way impressed with Michael's printing.
G can write a "G" but won't even attempt to do anything else. By the same age, N could write her name pretty darn well. Still, when he was able to print a "G" I was so excited!
Awesome for you for entering the contest!!! Being gutsy is good. I hope you share with Harper and Michael that you did it.
I love love LOVE the way little kids write, with the letters all over the place, in a totally unique order. Michael straight up wrote his ENTIRE NAME in a CIRCLE pattern all on his own! That's awesome.
I am proud of him, and you too (good luck with the contest!!)
Yay, Michael! It is a tough name to write and spell, isn't it? Lily had it the easiest...all her letters are straight lines. Michael's name isn't even phoenetic...poor kid. My Michael can only do a M (which half the time comes out as a W) and a lower case i and the c. He kind of throws up his hands and gives up after that. I'm considering changing his name to Mic. Wait...that's a racial slur, right? Maybe not, then.
that is SO cool! I had a similar reaction when Kaden spelled his name out louf for me- I was like, "hey, where'd that come from? you know things? things I didn't teach you? whoa"
he's not writing much these days, but our 4 year old neighbor spells in the same pattern as Michael and I do think it's one of the most heart warming things I've seen: her concentrating so much as she writes the letters all over!
(also, pretend this part is in tiny font and way to go entering the contest! however it works out, that's a graet step!)
Awesome job, Michael! He and Melina can work on their names together!! And I love the tiny font. So funny. Can't wait to hear what happens!
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