She is going into grade 3. We have had long talks about how difficult handwriting is and that her letters look like everyone elses (her two best friends volunteered to try just to show her that they could not make letters that were perfect) and that no one, except herself, is expecting the letters to be perfect. The handwriting book is hers, I told her that she did not even have to show it to anyone... that it was just for her own practice (please keep in mind that learning handwriting was HER idea). The star by her best letter helped momentarily, but I cannot convince her to pick up the book again. She just shuts down. I worry because they will be learning handwriting at school this year and if she can't even cope at home I know it is going to be a big deal at school.
She had a pretty significant vision issue until the age of 6 and her fine motor skills are still behind those of her peers. I feel for her because I am an uber-perfectionist, too. It takes a lot for me to keep from transferring that onto her, but I never criticize any of her efforts.
I suggested that she concentrate on learning to type/keyboard for the time being and she has taken off on the BBC kids typing program. Goodness knows that if she refuses to print that she will at least need to know how to type!
