Pre Reading

Reversals are very common in beginning readers and writers. There are a variety of types of reversals. Most occur in writing, but was/saw and b/d confusions are also seen in reading.

Think of reversals like we think of chairs. A chair is a chair is a chair no matter which way you rotate it or whether you look at it from the back or front. Can you get a chair wrong by reversing it? I believe that young children tend to look at letters as whole objects too. bdpq are just rotations of the same basic shape. Rather than being a problem, it is a clever piece of perception. It is a normal human thing to do.

Reading reversals are easily fixed by helping the child to use the word in context. That is, use the word that makes sense, "Sue saw Bill" or "Sue was Bill." Words beginning with the initial letter b/d are not always so easy, but try it this way first.

Writing reversals are more difficult because by the time you are aware of them they have probably been learned already. These are the common writing reversals:

There are also occasions when children right from right to left, sometimes with every letter reversed as well, as in mirror writing.

Because I work with young children I am not very concerned with reversals as I see them as something that occurs naturally in most children at some stage. Most seem to sort things out fairly quickly, but a few children do retain some reversals until about 8 or 9 years of age. Of course I have seen some who are much older with severe reversal difficulties too. Generally I find that they are all able to sort out their confusions with a little help.

I do not hold the view that reversals are an indicator for Dyslexia. However I do have some sympathy for children who are indeterminately handed (can't decide whether they are right or left handed), as this makes it more difficult to work out which way things should face.

First you need to look at students' Writing and Maths. Watch them at work and see how they actually construct their letters. Where do they put the pencil first, which direction do they go, and so on. Record the instances of reversed letters or numerals. Also record similar letters that are correct and check that they are constructed the right way. Make a list and decide where you want to start. Use one or more of these principles:

Observe: Watch the child write b and d and my bet is that both will be written the same way. That is, both will begin at the top. The down strokes will be done first, with the decision about which way to go with the ball made at the bottom of the stroke. Change this so that the writer begins each letter as in the diagram at left. Begin as described below

Base it on a correct model: Can you base it on the 'α'? See if the child constructs the 'α' correctly? if so, build on this correct model and teach the 'd' first. Beginning like an 'a' make the ball first with a right to left beginning action, complete the ball and extend to the top of the up stroke, and then return down. Make the b differently (the old way), starting at the top of the stick, descending down to the bottom and then making the ball.

Use self talk: Teach the student to talk their way through each letter as they do it, so that the talk is also remembered. eg. "Start like an 'a', up and over, down, up to the top, down and out".

Practice: Write it many times until it becomes automatic.

Teach the muscles: If necessary teach the hand/arm muscle to do it. Write it slowly at first. Then faster. Write it in the air with your finger. Don't forget to say it as you write it.

Teach the mind to picture it: Shut your eyes and write it in the air, then on your desk with your finger, and lastly write it on paper. Open your eyes and check it.

Don't: Don't teach 'bat and ball' sayings. I find that they don't work for many children. Don't teach more than one thing at a time.

Do: Do revise regularly.

Use similar principles with all the other letters, teaching the child how to write by demonstrating, self talk through it, practising, teaching the hand and arm, and teaching the eye to remember it.

Because handwriting styles vary between states ask your school for guidelines to the local variations.

Reversed numerals use the same principles. It helps if you can find a number that is constructed correctly to base the new one on. For instance if the 2 is correct but the 3 is reversed, base the new 3 on the successful 2. They both face the same way. Teach the words, "Start a 3 like the 2; back, around, down; and back, around, down.

If necessary repeat all the above steps. Teach the hand/arm muscle to do it. Write it slowly at first, then faster. Shut your eyes and write it. Write it in the air with your finger. Self talk it through as you write it.