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fountain pen for Kindergartener - am I crazy?


ktgrok
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No reason at all not to, imo. We love the site Writers Bloc, and have ordered from them several times. They have very helpful advice and lots of French pens, inexpensive and sized for little hands. For a young kid, I would probably use cartridge refills rather than ink. Most good pens can use either.

 

Also, I would suggest using good quality paper designed for ink pens. Writers Bloc has a good selection, reasonably priced. If you like paper, check out the Clairfontaine website to see how paper can be made in an environmentally responsible way.

 

The Goulet pen website also looks good.

 

http://www.shopwritersbloc.com/fountain-pens.html

 

http://www.gouletpens.com

 

http://exaclair.com/brands_clairefontaine_sustainable.php

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Bill, could you link me to those disposable fountain pens you have mentioned in the past?

 

http://www.amazon.com/Pilot-Varsity-Disposable-Fountain-Medium/dp/B00G0QZUXK/ref=pd_sim_229_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=1PA4R7M92V42BMQK7FJD&dpSrc=sims&dpST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_

 

They come in different "packs" (color assortments) depending where you get them.

 

There is a "hack" to refill them too.

 

Bill

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Anyone have a preference between the Lamy ABC and the Pilot Kakuno? Both seem to be made for children. I like the look of the grip on the Lamy ABC, but the cap can't be posted, and I'm afraid she will lose it. the Kakuno lets you keep the cap on the end of the pen, and the lid comes in cuter colors. 

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We have enjoyed these (starting at about age 6):

http://www.amazon.com/Pilot-Disposable-Fountain-Assorted-90029/dp/B00092PRCA

 

I think they may be one of Bill's old recommendations from "back in the day". ;)

 

That's exactly what I have right now, and what she is using. I want to get her one for her own use, and just asked about a few brands. But yes, these are fun! My teen is using them too, and now my husband had me order him a few :)

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So I should keep the thought that *I* woldn't get a fountain pen—whose cap my kid could not pos— to myself???

 

Maybe some people have responsible children? 

 

Bill (optimist)

 

Ha! Well, the cap is designed not to roll, so there is that, hopefully it will stay on her desk. And, you can put there name on it with a special set of stickers that comes with it, so I'm hoping that inspires her to keep it near her? It won't leave the house, so MAYBE this will work out?? I think I'm going to put it up high, and only get it down when we are doing school work to start with, until I'm sure she's good about taking care of it. 

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Ha! Well, the cap is designed not to roll, so there is that, hopefully it will stay on her desk. And, you can put there name on it with a special set of stickers that comes with it, so I'm hoping that inspires her to keep it near her? It won't leave the house, so MAYBE this will work out?? I think I'm going to put it up high, and only get it down when we are doing school work to start with, until I'm sure she's good about taking care of it. 

 

Having a boy who'd lose his head if it wasn't attached colors my thoughts I must admit :D

 

Bill (who might have some genetic responsibility for that)

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I love the idea of using a fountain pen and teaching my children to use one.  Are you using this to learn to print or are you beginning cursive with one in K?  Is it just for fun writing/drawing?

I am not saying not to buy one, just trying to see where its use is.  I talked with Rand Nelson of Peterson Directed for close to two hours today.  We were talking about writing on a chalkboard before beginning paper/pencil writing.  He said Don Potter talks about this, but I haven't looked at his site yet.  So even though, I'd like to buy a pen for Robby (and myself) now, I don't have a reason yet other than for fun. 

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I love the idea of using a fountain pen and teaching my children to use one.  Are you using this to learn to print or are you beginning cursive with one in K?  Is it just for fun writing/drawing?

 

I am not saying not to buy one, just trying to see where its use is.  I talked with Rand Nelson of Peterson Directed for close to two hours today.  We were talking about writing on a chalkboard before beginning paper/pencil writing.  He said Don Potter talks about this, but I haven't looked at his site yet.  So even though, I'd like to buy a pen for Robby (and myself) now, I don't have a reason yet other than for fun. 

 

For learning to print. And I also read about chalkboard writing, especially above the eyeline, as being good for motor skills. As someone that probably has dysgraphia, this has been something I've really focused on for her. She was late to develop a proper grip, so for a long time I encouraged mostly writing/drawing on the chalkboard with small pieces of chalk, and she used the melissa and doug triangle shaped crayons. Not sure if it helped or not. She also did a lot of climbing on jungle gyms, and sure enough around the time she could do the monkey bars is when she could hold the pencil properly. 

 

I just want to set her up for success, and if a pretty pen does that, I'm all for it. And some initial reading shows that it may very well be better than pencil or ball point for learning to write, because it doesn't fatigue the hand as much. I hope so. 

 

right now she probably has better handwriting than me, and I hope it stays that way!

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Both my  6 year old  and 7 year old LOVE to use a fountain pen.  It makes their work both neater and messier.  Neater in the sense that using the pen requires  more thought and care with respect to forming letters and holding the pen correctly.  Messier because there is a certain amount of smearing and bleeding of ink through the paper.  Both are lefties.  They have access to disposables, inexpensive craft store calligraphy pens (cartridge) and my old trusty Waterman.

 

They also like to do some of their work with quills we cut from seagull feathers.  FUN!

 

 

 

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Both my 6 year old and 7 year old LOVE to use a fountain pen. It makes their work both neater and messier. Neater in the sense that using the pen requires more thought and care with respect to forming letters and holding the pen correctly. Messier because there is a certain amount of smearing and bleeding of ink through the paper. Both are lefties. They have access to disposables, inexpensive craft store calligraphy pens (cartridge) and my old trusty Waterman.

 

They also like to do some of their work with quills we cut from seagull feathers. FUN!

Your comment about feathers reminded me of this video about French handwriting.

 

France - Teaching Handwriting - YouTube

Video for teach handwriting franceâ–¶ 13:53

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLF-f1RiFS0

May 8, 2014 - Uploaded by John Saddington

An educational philosophy encompassing all creative subjects backs up the teaching of ...

 

Sorry, I can't seem to link a you tube video from ipad.

 

ETA. See Bill's post, below, for link. :-)

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Your comment about feathers reminded me of this video about French handwriting.

 

France - Teaching Handwriting - YouTube

Video for teach handwriting franceâ–¶ 13:53

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLF-f1RiFS0

May 8, 2014 - Uploaded by John Saddington

An educational philosophy encompassing all creative subjects backs up the teaching of ...

 

Sorry, I can't seem to link a you tube video from ipad.

 

Here goes:

 

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Anyone have a preference between the Lamy ABC and the Pilot Kakuno? Both seem to be made for children. I like the look of the grip on the Lamy ABC, but the cap can't be posted, and I'm afraid she will lose it. the Kakuno lets you keep the cap on the end of the pen, and the lid comes in cuter colors.

I see that you bought the Lamy.

 

I bought the Kakuno for my kids and I liked them so much that I bought one for myself.

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I used a fountain pen all through high school, and it did really help with my handwriting. I don't use one now, because my pen would leak, and the ink is really hard to get out of clothes. It's a great idea, though. The cartridge ones were easy to refill. 

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"Disposable fountain pen" seems an oxymoron to me. I can never picture fountain pens without an ink bottle. I used fountain pens in 2/3 of my life. I still think we should revert to fountain pen use to save the earth from disposables. Ducking tomatoes......... I am not using fountain pens now. But every time I throw away a used pen, I feel a pinch of guilt. We bought the boys a fountain pen each. They use them occasionally.

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Went with the Lamy ABC, but Amazon can't ship it until October! Ordered from Jet Pens, which had free shipping over $25. So I added in a cartridge pack of purple ink to go over the $25 limit :)

 

The Lamy ABC is what I originally planned to get when my oldest began K/1st, but I think it was harder to find at the time without having to pay a good bit in shipping (iirc?) so we ended up sticking with the Varsities.  I wonder if I should try a new one for my current first grader.  You'll have to let us know how you like it when it arrives. :)  I'll look at the Kakuno too; I don't remember that one.

 

I love the idea of using a fountain pen and teaching my children to use one.  Are you using this to learn to print or are you beginning cursive with one in K?  Is it just for fun writing/drawing?

 

I am not saying not to buy one, just trying to see where its use is.  I talked with Rand Nelson of Peterson Directed for close to two hours today.  We were talking about writing on a chalkboard before beginning paper/pencil writing.  He said Don Potter talks about this, but I haven't looked at his site yet.  So even though, I'd like to buy a pen for Robby (and myself) now, I don't have a reason yet other than for fun. 

 

I am not the OP but we use fountain pens for learning cursive (first) on lined paper AFTER doing lots of exercises on the chalkboard/whiteboard (chalkboard is supposed to be better I think), salt box, air writing, etc.  I really enjoyed reading Peterson Directed and Don Potter's websites a few years ago before my kids were school age.  Fountain pens can help train you to hold a writing instrument properly.  If you don't hold them at the correct angle, ink will not flow.  Also, you tend to be mindful of the pressure you use while writing with one--too light and pen won't work, too hard and nib feels "scratchy" or might even bend or break.   

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This forum is dangerous! I mean...hmmm...full of great ideas that I can't resist. I used lamy through Jr high and highschool and still have a couple. Have been toying with the idea of buying another lamy fountain pen, not because I need them or use them a lot, but ohhh! They are so pretty! So I couldn't justify getting a new one. Til now!! I can teach my kids to use fountain pens! Yay!! Had no idea the ABC existed :)

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  • 2 weeks later...

ds7 has a Varsity. I'm drooling over the Lamy ABC, but it will probably be a reward for not losing his Varsity or being too annoying about the Halloween and Christmas ads that haven't really started to make life miserable for all of us parents of littles quite yet this year. :P

 

I use a Sheaffer that I love. IIRC, it was a lot less expensive than the Cross I don't use because it hates me.

 

I gave up on the Cross and got a converter for my Sheaffer and a bottle of purple ink because I am an old lady so I shall write in purple. ;)

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ds7 has a Varsity. I'm drooling over the Lamy ABC, but it will probably be a reward for not losing his Varsity or being too annoying about the Halloween and Christmas ads that haven't really started to make life miserable for all of us parents of littles quite yet this year. :p

 

I use a Sheaffer that I love. IIRC, it was a lot less expensive than the Cross I don't use because it hates me.

 

I gave up on the Cross and got a converter for my Sheaffer and a bottle of purple ink because I am an old lady so I shall write in purple. ;)

 

Not sure if I mentioned it up thread, but my daughter requested purple as well. And My son stole my purple pen. Seems purple is popular!

 

In good news, Lamy sent me another pack of purple cartidges after one of the ones in the initial order leaked. So I got 9 for the price of 5. 

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  • 2 months later...

looks like lamy is a good pen from comments above.  this will be a gift for my 7yo dd.

 

is 14$ for a lamy fountain pen good deal?

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FA5EHY?keywords=lanny%20abc%20pen&qid=1450808357&ref_=sr_1_fkmr2_1&sr=8-1-fkmr2

 

any place or location for a better deal.  i am not in any rush to order right now, can wait for a great deal. 

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