FAQ

Look at our new website for handwriting specialists. These people are trained in Handwriting Without Tears and are certified to administer The Print Tool evaluation. Many of them are in private practices or offer tutoring services.

You can find a certified individual in your area through the Level 1 Certification website. Feel free to contact anyone who is listed about your questions.

Although the best practice may be to teach handwriting before students actually have to write words and sentences, this is not always possible with all the demands placed on teachers. How should this be addressed?

Even though research suggests that students benefit from explicit and supplemental instruction in writing the letters of the alphabet, children are often expected to write before being taught how to form letters. Teachers should incorporate a few minutes of consistent, daily instruction in their schedules. They will quickly begin seeing more productive work as the children are able to write more naturally with instruction.

Handwriting is best taught to the entire classroom through teacher demonstration on a board or flip chart. Consider the three levels of instruction:

1. Imitation (Demonstration)
2. Copying
3. Independent Work

Though our goal is for students to get to level 3, we must begin by demonstrating correct letter formation.

Children who receive good instruction forming letters correctly on double lines can transition to all styles of paper. The average classroom has 5-9 styles of paper and we want to teach children how to write on any paper.

You are the child’s best model. Say, “We use double line paper most of the time when we write. But you will also have to write on other types of paper. I will show you how to write on other paper so that you can make your letters look nice.” Every time you encounter a book or worksheet that gives children something other than double lines, make sure you take time to demonstrate letter placement. Being able to transition to all forms of paper will help children apply their good handwriting habits consistently.

Handwriting Without Tears designed student workbooks to be left-hand friendly. We put models for the children to copy on both sides of the page so that left-handed students don’t cover the model they are asked to copy. This alleviates the problem of left-handed individuals having to hook their wrists to see the models and enables them to maintain correct positioning.

It takes some practice to learn how to position yourself so that your students can see how you form letters when using the board for instruction. Position your body to the side so that your writing hand is visible. Your students will be able to watch the formation and skills you are teaching. Practice holding the chalk or dry erase marker a little farther back than usual. This will help your students see how the letters are formed. The double lines are easy to draw on your board using music staff markers found at teachers supply stores.

When children learn to write their names, capitals are easier. We teach lowercase letter recognition in preschool, but we teach capital writing until kindergarten.

Capitals make it easy:

• They all have one starting place: the top.
• They are all the same size.
• They are familiar (road signs, keyboards, TV).

Lowercase letters are much more difficult:

• They have 4 or 5 different starting places.
• They have 2 different sizes (full- and half-size letters in relation to capitals).
• They have 3 different positions (ascending, descending, and those that sit beside a capital letter).

We don’t offer a font at this time. Century Gothic is a common font that is close to our print font.

We’ll give you in-service materials to help you present to your school or school district. We can send handouts (brochures, handouts, research, scripts, and overheads) to help you present. Please contact us at inservice@hwtears.com.

Lowercase letters are formed using a continuous stroke. We don’t use Wood Pieces to teach lowercase letters because they can lead to individual separate strokes and inappropriate pencil pick-ups.

Do you feel your preschool materials are age-appropriate for very young children? The materials list shows many products that we might want to adapt for our 3-year- olds.

Our Get Set for School student workbook is designed for the pre-k year and to prepare students for the formal instruction of handwriting that will begin in kindergarten. However, there are many parts of the preschool program you can implement with 3-year-olds. Here are some suggestions:

• Use various hands-on activities to help young children build strength and motor skills.
• Teach grip using small or broken bits of chalk or crayon that children can grasp easily and comfortably.
• Use the Get Set For School Sing Along music CD to teach and encourage group play, cooperation, participation, movement, and imitation.
• Introduce the children to Mat Man! They will love putting him together. Toward the end of age 3, they may be ready to draw him with you.
• Use all of the preschool letter play activities; just instruct teachers to avoid formal instruction of letters or using pencils to write letters/names.

For more information, go to the Get Set For School website

You might consider attending a preschool workshop in your area. You will receive materials to get started and will learn how to implement the program.