Why do some kids write numbers backwards?
Quick tips for when kids write numbers backwards
- Quick tip 1Gently point out mistakes.Gently point out mistakes.
If you sense confusion, show how to write the number the correct way. If you need a hand, consider asking another trusted adult or an older sibling to do this instead.
- Quick tip 2Make it tactile.Make it tactile.
Have kids trace numbers on sandpaper or write numbers with their fingers in shaving cream or pudding.
- Quick tip 3Do it over and over again.Do it over and over again.
Repetition builds muscle memory. Some kids need to practice many times before they can consistently form numbers the right way.
- Quick tip 4Praise the effort.Praise the effort.
When you see hard work or progress, acknowledge it. The end result doesn’t have to be perfect — it’s the work that matters. Be specific. For example, “Your 3’s are all correct today! You must be so proud. Your hard work is paying off.”
Lots of young kids write numbers backwards. (Teachers may call it reversal.) In fact, it’s developmentally appropriate for kids under 7. But when kids are still reversing numbers after age 7, they may need extra help learning to write them correctly.
When kids have trouble writing numbers the right way, it’s not a problem with understanding math. The numbers they’re using are correct — they’re just written incorrectly. Instead, it’s an issue of how their brain processes what they see.
Writing numbers backwards can cause challenges in math class or with homework, but it doesn’t mean kids are “bad at math.”
Keep in mind, too, that some kids have a related difficulty that can impact math. They transpose numbers. Instead of writing 32, they’ll write 23. That throws off their computation and leads to wrong answers.
Dive deeper
When kids write letters backwards, too
It’s not uncommon for kids who write numbers backwards to also write letters backwards. Many people think that reversing letters is a sure sign of dyslexia. But that’s not true. The fact is, some kids with dyslexia write letters backwards, and some don’t. Common signs of dyslexia include trouble sounding out words or understanding what’s read.
Just like writing numbers backwards, writing letters backwards is common in young kids. Learn when kids typically stop writing letters backwards. And find out what “number dyslexia” means.
Next steps
There are no quick fixes when kids write numbers backwards. But using a multisensory approach can help kids learn to write numbers correctly over time. With this approach, kids use various senses to learn how to form numbers the right way.
Tracing numbers on sandpaper or writing them in pudding or shaving cream are examples of multisensory learning. See more multisensory techniques to help kids with: