Yes, I have seen those stories too, LA. I was shocked to say the least. I didn't start school until first grade, 3 months before my 7th birthday. They had kindergarten, but it wasn't a requirement. I could spell a little before I even went to first grade. My mom used to read to me fairly often. I loved to read, and picked it up quickly. Mom helped teach me how to write too. We started with those fat pencils first. We had to write the way our teacher told us. You did the grip they told you, which was the dynamic tripod. Funny I told my mom that story when I went to her house on Saturday. I asked her to hold a pen for me, so I could see how she did it. Sure enough she held it the same way I was taught.
When my kids were babies I read to them. Every day I read them at least one story. Most of the time we would read for a half hour a day. I don't think teachers even teach kids how to properly hold a pencil/pen these days. Cursive is not usually taught either. I think that is a big mistake. Most people retain their notes better if they write them out, vs. typing them out. My kids were not graded on penmanship either. I don't know what they do with that now. I doubt seriously if they grade them at all on it. Most young people I know struggle to read cursive, much less write with cursive! It is quicker with practice than printing. One of my kids HATED cursive with a passion. I struggled with certain letters starting out, but I wanted to write beautifully. Later I settled for legible. Now I practice a bit, because the legibility was falling. The practice has improved my writing once again.
