From what age should a child be taught to write?
Dr Satish Saluja
Consultant Neonatologist,
Sir Ganga Ram Hospital,
New Delhi
Consultant Neonatologist,
Sir Ganga Ram Hospital,
New Delhi
Q: From what age should a child be taught to write? Does pressurising a child to write much earlier than his age cause any serious problem?
A:Each baby may have different writing skills. Usually scribbling starts at 18 months and most start writing a straight line at 2 years, drawing circle at 3 years and may start writing alphabets at 4 years or beyond. We should not pressurise the child for systematic or formal writing before 3 - 4 years of age. Some babies may start writing earlier, but dont push children into organised writing before 3 years of age. However, it does not have any effect on their long term growth.