Why I don't teach kindergarten handwriting

It is no secret how I feel about teaching handwriting to children under 6.  😝  With my oldest three boys, it made me feel like I was torturing them.  (My oldest girl has been gifted with drawing abilities from a very young age.)  

So last fall when my twins were 5 and officially kindergarten age, I decided I wasn't going to teach it until they seemed ready.

I wrote their names on their drawings and papers whenever they wanted me to (with them looking on).

I reminded them of pencil grip when they held pencils and crayons.

I let them play with Legos, fingerpaint with shaving cream, salt trays and cornmeal trays, form playdoh letters, and all manner of things that improve fine motor skills.

I put an alphabet train up on the wall for them to be inspired.

Earlier this year, the child psychologist told me that Tater possibly had dysgraphia.

Today I got out their kindergarten level handwriting books and they eagerly sat down next to me (one at a time) and did 7 pages each.  

Then I put it away.  They begged to do more in the afternoon and tomorrow and the next day and next day and a next day.

There is no pressure or testing in my home telling them what they should be doing academically.  Even as twins I do not compare one to the other in learning.  

Since when did Heavenly Father create people to do things at exactly the same age as their peers?

I try to celebrate my children's uniqueness.  When they are ready, they thrive.