1. ESC Region 13 Beat the Heat Conference 2013 Handwriting Without Tears Presented by: Melissa Eckhoff, COTA & Sarah Worcester, COTA

2. Why is Handwriting Still Important? Handwriting can change how children learn and their brains develop. Good handwriting can mean better grades. Handwriting is faster and aids memory. Handwriting proficiency inspires confidence.

3. What Makes HWT different? Multi-Sensory Approach Research- Based Developmental Teaching Order

4. Pre-Writing Before kindergarten, develop the skills needed for successful writing. – Hand Strength *CHOOSE THE CORRECT SIZE WRITING DEVICE* – Body Awareness – Eye-Hand Coordination – Letter Orientation – Writing Posture

5. Fine Motor Strengthening Activities Cut anything and everything (with adult supervision of course!) Tongs/ Tweezers/ Clothes pins Play Doh Wikki Stix

6. Index finger rests on the outside out of the way. Middle finger in large hole. Ring and pinky fingers tucked in to palm. Thumb in the small hole, thumbs up position. Proper Scissor Position

7. Standard Grips Left or Right Tripod Grasp Left and Right Quadropod Grasp

8. Mat Man

9. Developmental Order of Teaching Uppercase and Lowercase Letters Some Capitals Are Easier than Others: 2-3 year olds 3-4 year olds 4-6 year olds

10. Learning to Write- The Four Stages 1.Tracing 2.Imitation 3.Copying 4.Writing Trace Imitate Copy Write

11. Hand Dominance Hand dominance determines how you place your paper on your desk. Your non-dominant hand is a stabilizer and assists the dominant hand. You have a dominant eye and foot too!

12. Starting Point for Letters Why do we teach kids to form letters from the top to the bottom. Does it really matter? Why is left to right formation important? What about left-handed children?

13. Wet-Dry-Try Teacher’s Part: Demonstrate correct letter formation. Student’s Part: WETDRYTRY

14. Budget Friendly Ideas Paint stirrers make great wood pieces Use the wood pieces template to make wood pieces from other materials Break standard size crayons in half or smaller to be the proper size for little hands Use a pom pom or penny to change grasp Teach children to use their “spacer they always bring with them,” their index finger

15. Remember… Consistent Language Short practice sessions- no more than 15 minutes a day Small-sized writing utensils

16. Resources www.hwtears.com/texas www.handwritingworksheets.com www.writeoutofthebox.com