Handwriting Linked to Academic Success

While we are no where near perfecting or even conducting handwriting skills -- it's more like lines and circles around here -- I heard a rather interesting news story linking handwriting skills to academic success. A Floridian assistant professor tracked 1,000 second graders in their handwriting skills and success in the classroom and found the difference to be a letter grade, between "B" students and "C" students.

This does not make me want to start my toddler on letter worksheets now, but I believe the key is teaching children to be careful and precise. While not all are able to achieve at the same level, all are able to deliberately strive and persist in being as accurate as possible. I don't want my child to perceive that I'm a perfectionist, as that's far from the truth, but I want her to learn a life skill of aiming to do things correctly the first time.

What is your take on all this?!?

Photo Credit: Image: Chris Sharp / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Complementing Children

How often do you complement children . . . other people's children?!?  Some times I'll complement other people's children for pure encouragement -- other times, I do it as purely encouragement for my child to be more obedient, like, "Look how well they're walking next to their Mommy!" Either way, it brings smiles to both the children and their parents to hear praise, not flattery.

Today I was the recipient of that encouragement! My child spent some time with a childcare provider, and she praised my daughter for being personable and mature . . . for a toddler! They were looking all over the room for a particular toy, and when they couldn't find it, my daughter just non-nonchalantly said, "That's ok," and she went to play with something else!

This mommy's all smiles! When was the last time you complemented some one else's child?!?

Photo Credit: Image: Arvind Balaraman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net