What can cause reversals in students' writing?

The phenomena of reversals in students' writing can primarily be influenced by gaps in letter naming as well as increased cognitive load.

When a student has gaps in letter naming, they may struggle to consistently recognize or reproduce letters, which can lead to confusion and result in writing reversals, such as writing 'b' instead of 'd'. This is particularly common among younger learners or those who are still developing their phonological and orthographic awareness.

Increased cognitive load refers to the mental effort required to process and execute writing tasks. When students are overwhelmed by the demands of writing, such as organizing their thoughts while simultaneously focusing on spelling and letter formation, they may inadvertently reverse letters due to the strain of managing multiple cognitive processes at once. As they juggle these tasks, the likelihood of making errors, including reversals, increases.

Together, gaps in letter naming and increased cognitive load create an environment where students struggle with accurate letter orientation and production, leading to reversals during writing activities.