7/24/2019 While These Words Might Look Like Gibberish

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While these words might look like gibberish, they are actually the names of some of the

most common handwriting programs used in schools today. Believe it or not, Ive had

some pretty hot debates with parents and colleagues over which program was best. I even

remember a parent scolding me for allowing her child to form the letter C in !W"

style, stating it should never be considered a center starter. I know, I know, the life of

an #" can get pretty spicy$

%o before you swear your allegiance to your favorite program, allow me to share a little

ob&ective insight from my e'periences.

!andwriting Without "ears (!W")

*#k, Ill &ust go out there and say it. "his one is my favorite. (#ops, I guess there goes myob&ective stance$) "he main reason is the &argon used with the program. +etters are

grouped by starting point and have simple instructions to remember their formation

seuence.

*%trokes are simple- big line, little line, big curve, little curve.

*"he program has tons of activities and various ways to incorporate kinesthetic learning

through building letters with wood pieces, using a magnet board, chalk board, or play*

doh type letters.

*at*an. ("hat should be reason enough right there. I love that guy.) /uring this

activity, children use the wood pieces which represent each letter stroke (big line, big

curve, etc.) to build a person. "his has helped many children with the skill of drawing a

representational figure of a person. 0lus he has a cool theme song.

*"his program has its own simplified writing paper. If your child isnt using this program

in school, then it can be difficult to switch back and forth for some children. If this is thecase then I will adapt the program to follow the !W" outline with whatever paper the

child is using at school.

/1ealian

7/24/2019 While These Words Might Look Like Gibberish

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*I have had more problems with this handwriting program than any other. "his printing

allows for a pseudo transition to cursive with slanted letters and little tails added on the

end of each character.

*While this program is supposed to bridge the gap between printing and cursive, I find it

&ust adds another detail to muddy up the process of learning print. 2or the kids that I work

with, visual perceptual, fine motor, and sensory processing issues interfere with writing in

the first place. 3dding a tail to a letter &ust seems to make it more challenging. 3 lot of

as end up looking like s.

4aner*Bloser

*#ne of the most commonly used programs in schools. "his program uses the paper witha blue top line, dotted midline, and red baseline. 2or most typically developing kids, this

program is completely fine. 2or some of my clients5 Confusing.

*%tart on the top line, then draw past the midline to the baseline, slide to the right, then

curve back up to the midline with a swooping action, then curve around again until you

meet up with the top line. #k, Ive e'aggerated a bit, but this is how I feel their

instructions come across. "hey are very detailed and wordy. 2or kids that have a difficult

time processing all of this information, it can be challenging.

*I do love the 4*B paper. "he red base*line gives a strong visual cue to stop, and the

midline helps kids si6e their letters appropriately. "his is why I will use this paper with

the !W" program for some children. !owever, on that same note, for kids with difficulty

processing visual information, !W" has a simplified paper which may work out better.

"he bottom line is that each program has its benefits. 0lus, parents dont always have a

big choice when it comes to the program used at their childs school. 3s an #", it is our

&ob to adapt whatever program we use to allow the child to gain the skill at hand. (7et it53thand$handwriting$ ok, you get it$)