Switching b's, d's, p's & q's

Letter reversals can be frustrating for young readers and parents alike. However, these reversals are a normal part of a child's reading and writing development. Let me first explain a strange concept. From the time the child was really young his stuffed animal was a bear. It did not matter if the bear was on its side, belly, back, head, or feet. It was always a stuffed bear. Now, the child is in school and learning letters. All of sudden, the orientation of the letter matters. A "P" rotated 180 degrees becomes a lower case "d." It's confusing stuff for your readers when they're navigating new learning territories. It is common and developmentally appropriate for reversal confusion to last into second grade.

It's still a bear, no matter which way you spin it!

Here are Some Things to Help Reinforce Correct Letter Orientation

Show your child that the b's and the d's need to go to "bed" and that the rounded part of the letter must be within the bed.

Have your child make the letter b with his left hand and the d with his right hand. Some children will then make that letter to help differentiate a b or a d in their reading or writing.

Other Letter Reversal and Formation Strategies

Just asking your child to "check for b's or d's" draws attention to his/her reading or writing and they can usually catch their mistake.
Use your finger to trace or write letters on textured materials like sandpaper, screens, felt, etc.
Put shaving cream or whipped cream on a cookie sheet and write letters to create negative space letters.
Put sand in a shallow dish and write letters, again making the negative space, and then gently shake to "erase" for the next letter.
Use pipe cleaner to form letters.
Use other materials from around the house to build letters like blocks, toothpicks, string, toys, etc.
Purchase alphabet noodles and have the child search for specific letters