Handwriting learning tools : Megasketchers and other options

For a digital native like J,  one of the learning milestone challenges we are having is handwriting.  We have been giving her workbooks, coloring books,  new and pretty crayons,  different types of pens just to encourage her to write or start to love writing.  We have allow her to write on walls because she seems to be interested in writing with chalk but that eventually graduated to all other writing implements only on walls and other surfaces except paper.  There has to be major patience (and detergent and vinegar wiping on walls) to be applied here but we know it would pass.   At 3,  she already reads even big words,  tough words (huh by the way i will try her out later to check if she can decipher tough.. tough is tough) like advertisement,  wellness, Bible, Psalms, business,  she can mentally spell small words, type in words and do youtube, spotify and google searches,  do word play like rhyming and invent words (and songs) so the basic concept of words and what to write is not a problem.  but she does not want to do it.  

I am fortunate to have a sister who was a preschool educator, another sister who’s doing kumon, another sister who’s a mom of 3 different learning styles plus a mom who i can confide about my concerns (plus google who is always on standby)  their tips :

Do some arts and crafts for her to enjoy activities using the hands.  Clay play also is good for finger dexterity needed to hold pens. (She is not into clay :(

Workbooks and coloring book sessions (check! but afterwards she’ll use the crayons on walls :(

Make a diary with her, so she has something to look forward to doing together  you both will have souvenirs / keepsakes for posterity 

Monkey sees, monkey does.  Maybe she does not see us writing. She does not see any use for it (duh!  Bingo!)

Yup, kind of our fault, too much gadgets in our lives.  I rarely take down notes anymore on pen and paper or bring home notes since i do it all in evernote,  if i do write small notes in the office,  i snap a picture and discard the notepad,  post its replaced by wunderlist.  

As usual, research mode on the toy tools and gadgets.  Almost went into buying the Leap Frog Mr. Pencil but weighed the perceived pros and cons,  1. comfort zone of it being iOS based is a plus,  i don’t need extra convincing.  2. its just a hardware/ sw accessory and not buying a whole system 3. it has a tangible / compatible pen tool that is grip friendly and as advertised,  no scratching  4. AV instruction is combined with the “practice sheets” which is the actual screen of the tab/phone.

but 5. she still has the access to other apps that is not particular to the skill building 6. usual low-batt, high maintenance concern of the gadget being lost, stolen, broken (screen replacement cost!) 7. concern that the activity steps can be confusing to a kid who might use another blunt object and scratch the screen (worst, another owner's screen!) and be scolded for it.  8.  its only iOS compatible so its her phone and mommy and daddy’s tablets who might be sacrificial surfaces.  Good idea but its a pass.

We have already tried the usual white boards (ohh no the walls!) and those magnetic screens,  we are near,  but not quite.  Can also recommend as supplement these apps,  but like I’ve said,  she already is familiar with android and iOS interface,  she goes astray and goes back to her videos after a while :

Android

KidsDoodle by Doodle joy studio

Letters tracing.  This app is precise,  you have only 3 times to deviate from the set trace lines or else unaacceptable (reminds me of a Miss Tapia of apps)

Pre school. - This is a flashcard type of learning they have a drawing slate to follow letters.

Baby games free baby by draw swan apps.  This app has been in Js tablet since day 1.  The animal sounds app was her favorite when she was a baby,  3 years later the draw function is her coloring book.

Ios

Writing tutor lite

Pocket phonics lite by Apps in my pocket

special mention is the Coloring book by Toonia (plus we love its sonic logo intro) its not a writing app but its practice.

The solution that’s we invested on is a megasketcher. back to basics.  it got us interested because of the following points :

1. ITS NOT A GADGET! hurray!

2. it has the look and feel of one, a pre-tab,  in fact we can boast that the screen is bigger than mommy’s tablet and laptop.  Isn’t that cool!

3. No battery,  no issue.

4. Durable and low maintenance

5. No fuzz- precision skill building tool for handwriting and doodling.

6. no consumables, unlimited fun.

Though its not cheap,  add a bit more you can already have a entry level tablet.  But the value is in the science and the priceless nurture that we would usher her to another milestone.