Mirror-word phenomenon
Mirror Writing Phenomenon in Children and its Relationship with Handedness
Mirror writing (b/d, p/q ) is a common occurrence during the early stages of writing development in children. It refers to the reversal or mirroring of letters or words as if seen in a mirror. While mirror writing is generally considered a temporary stage that children naturally transition out of, the factors influencing its occurrence and potential differences based on handedness remain understudied. This research aims to investigate the relationship between the mirror writing phenomenon and handedness, specifically exploring whether left-handed children are more likely to experience mirror writing compared to right-handed children.
Participate in the research
Task 1: The first task involves your child writing individual letters. They will be asked to write down A-Z and a-z on a sheet of paper. This task aims to examine their ability to reproduce letters accurately.
[ ] A [ ] B [ ] C [ ] D [ ] E [ ] F [ ] G [ ] H [ ] I [ ] J
[ ] K [ ] L [ ] M [ ] N [ ] O [ ] P [ ] Q [ ] R [ ] S [ ] T
[ ] U [ ] V [ ] W [ ] X [ ] Y [ ] Z
Task 2: The second task focuses on writing words. Your child will be given a list of words and asked to write them down. This task allows us to observe if mirror writing occurs when forming complete words.
Word Set: [ ] Cat [ ] Dog [ ] Sun [ ] Tree [ ] Book [ ] Ball [ ] Fish [ ] Car [ ] Hat [ ] Star
Task 3: The third task involves writing numbers from 1-9. Similar to the previous tasks, your child will be given a set of numbers to write. This task provides an additional perspective on the occurrence of mirror writing and its relation to numerical representation.
Participate by clicking on this link: https://forms.gle/SG1t29peRAhagTya9
Research Design
Research Question: Is there a significant difference in the occurrence of mirror writing phenomenon between left-handed and right-handed children during their early writing development stage?
Hypothesis: Left-handed children are more likely to face the mirror writing phenomenon compared to right-handed children.
Methodology:
Participants:
A sample of children aged 4-8 years old will be recruited from local schools or educational institutions.
The sample will include both left-handed and right-handed children, with an equal distribution of participants in each group.
Variables and Operational Definitions:
a) Independent Variable:
Handedness: Refers to the dominant hand used by the child for writing and other tasks.
Operational Definition: Handedness will be determined through a brief questionnaire completed by the children's parents or guardians, indicating whether the child is left-handed or right-handed.
b) Dependent Variable:
Occurrence of Mirror Writing: Refers to the frequency and presence of mirror writing in the child's writing samples.
Operational Definition: Mirror writing will be identified and quantified by analyzing the child's writing samples for instances where letters or words are reversed or mirrored, resembling mirror writing.
Data Collection:
The participants will be given a set of writing tasks that involve copying and producing letters or words.
Each child's writing samples will be collected and analyzed for instances of mirror writing.
Information regarding handedness will be obtained through a brief questionnaire completed by the children's parents or guardians.
Data Analysis:
The occurrence of mirror writing will be quantitatively analyzed and compared between left-handed and right-handed children.
Statistical analysis, such as chi-square or Fisher's exact test, will be conducted to determine if there is a significant difference in the occurrence of mirror writing between the two groups.
Ethical Considerations:
Informed consent will be obtained from the parents or guardians of the participating children.
The research will be conducted in accordance with ethical guidelines and protocols to ensure the safety and well-being of the participants.
Expected Results and Implications: It is hypothesized that left-handed children will demonstrate a higher incidence of mirror writing phenomenon compared to right-handed children. If the hypothesis is supported by the data, it would provide valuable insights into the relationship between handedness and mirror writing. Understanding this association can have implications for educators, parents, and specialists involved in teaching and supporting children during their early writing development. It may help inform instructional strategies and interventions targeted at mitigating mirror writing and facilitating the acquisition of proper writing skills.
By investigating the mirror writing phenomenon in relation to handedness, this research aims to contribute to the existing literature on early writing development and provide a better understanding of the factors influencing mirror writing.
Participate by clicking on this link: https://forms.gle/SG1t29peRAhagTya9
Data
