fine motor skill delay?

As my daughter was growing up I thought she was very bright (don't we all)...she could remember all sorts of things, was completing large jigsaw puzzles early on, etc...

She turned 4 in July.

Her gross motor skills seem right on target - pedals a bike with training wheels, pumps a swing all by herself, swims with a life jacket...

It's her writing I'm concerned about. I have her practicing her letters and numbers, but she doesn't seem to "get it". I tell her draw a line down, she goes across. I tell her to go one way, she goes the other. I should mention that she can color in the lines as much as a 4 year old can...

Could it be a processing issue? Or could it be she's just stubborn or not listening well (a huge problem of hers). Or am I just expecting too much too soon? Any advice or shared stories would be greatly appreciated.

Re: fine motor skill delay?

Does she use scissors? String beads? Manipulate small blocks, buttons and zippers?

Re: fine motor skill delay?

Her cutting leaves a lot to be desired. She always holds the scissors upside down...I always correct her, but then she gets frustrated and says she doesn't want to do it anymore. When she cuts, it's never straight.

Never watched her string beads, button buttons...she can build a tower with blocks though (the small alphabet ones).

Re: fine motor skill delay?

Well, you could always try to get a private OT evaulation and see what they think. Or you could go through your school district to request one through CPSE. Does she go to pre-school? If so, what do they say?

My son has fine motor delays. He has been getting OT since he was two. The things I mentioned above he couldn't really do correctly.

Re: fine motor skill delay?

Thanks for the response.

She does go to Pre-K, but just started last week with a new class. I was going to wait a couple of months and see if they say anything (she gets bussed there and back, so I never see the teacher).

I'm going to continue working with her daily. I'm so mean - when she gets off the bus I tell her she has to do her homework before she can play! We practice writing her letters and her name.

I am hoping she will come around...