should I worry when my kindergartener writes some letters backwards?

Honey, they ALL write some (or many) letters backwards at this age! I know because I've got a Kindergartener, too. My daughter's teacher told me I can help in the following ways: (1) sometimes hold your child's hand while writing the problem letters to help him or her get a feel for it; (2) use the special print outs of letters with arrows that the teachers use to teach handwriting. You can be more helpful to your child if you know how the teacher is showing them how to write. Actually, these have helped my own handwriting too! I found some that you can print out online at: www.donnayoung.org/penmanship/k_1.htm. ; & FINALLY ... (3) Don't overdo it or put too much pressure on your child & back off if he or she resists or gets upset. You want him or her to ENJOY writing & eventually expressing him or herself in this way, & most kids stop reversing their letters by 2nd grade. Your child is probably just fine. Good luck!

My youngest daughter also had this problem in 1st grade. When I asked her teacher about this, she told me pretty much what allikat2005 posted. She grew out of it before 2nd grade came.

Dyslexia is a learning difference and is only a disability when handle incorrectly. These students are the "out of box" thinkers and may need help understanding how to stay in the box when it is need. While there are many programs now days for student with learning disability we are lucky in this area to have a Shedd's program for dyslexia with both weekend and summer programs. It take time and effort to help these gifted students grow into what they can do, but that is what it means to be a parent. Information on the local Shedd's program can be found at www.sheddtutoring.org/news.htm. If you ever ask why they have so much energy the answer is because it takes that much energy to learn all they need and can learn. It is the parent job to direct that energy.

I wouldn't worry much if there are only a few letters written backwards, like S and E and lowercases b and d. It is very common for many pre-k to kinder to write it reversedly. But try to correct it as early as possible. Watch her not to make it a habit and would continue doing it after first grade. Writing letters backward has been associated with dyslexia especially if it is accompanied with difficulty in memorizing number and letter sequences, such as; telephone numbers, zip codes, or even the alphabet. Make sure he can identify pictures correctly when shown one, otherwise there might be a potential problem associated to his writing backwards. This is not to scare you but to inform you of a possible developmental learning disability, which many kids are affected with, but when given proper intervention could live a succesful life. So watch her carefully and teach her accordingly. Goodluck!!