> My daughter is 7 years old and in the second grade.
 > She is still reversing b and d, q and p, n and u, m and w, etc.
 > Does anyone have any suggestions of ways to work on this problem?
 > Should I be worried at this point?
I taught second grade for several years, and noticed that quite a few kids 
would mix these up. At that age I really don't think it's a big deal - if 
they haven't separated it all out by about 4th grade, *then* I might be 
concerned.
You can always assist them with little picture reminders...for instance, for 
b and d you could use a picture of a bed (the b is the headboard and the d is 
the footboard), or the ABeka way is a b dressed as a bee and a d as a dog.
 > One more question, can anyone suggest a way to
 > encourage better handwriting? Both of my children have less than
Be a good example, praise the neat writing. On second grade handwriting 
papers, I used to "star" or "smiley" every letter or word that was neat. 
Those that weren't didn't bear attention. I discouraged erasing on 
handwriting papers because 2nd graders tended to tear the paper trying to get 
things erased. It was much better to have them X or \ the mistake, and then 
write it again.
Many excellent teachers would not accept a paper that was completely 
unreadable. Children would have to stay in at recess or lunch hour and redo 
it until it was acceptable. For those that think, "that's mean", in the real 
workaday world, work has to be readable to be accepted.
Overall, tho, being the best example will go further than all the words you 
can say. Just like reading, children who see parents writing will be better 
writers themselves.
                                 -donna
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