Handwriting Programs Available
for Individual Programs at Make the Grade OT This is a standard
curriculum
used in many school districts. D'Nealian can be challenging
for
children with handwriting difficulties for a couple reasons. The
children are taught to write letters with a slant. In
addition,
"monkey tails" added to the manuscript or printed letter.
This
ending stroke is used later as the connector in cursive
writing.
Common modifications for children struggling with this curriculum are
to omit the slant and leave off the "monkey tails" on manuscript
letters.
"The First Strokes
Multi-Sensory
Handwriting Program was designed by an occupational therapist to teach
print handwriting on a multi-sensory basis. Inherent in the program, is
large gross-motor (kinesthetic) learning of the lower and upper case,
print letters." Billy the Seal is also used to
engage
children in their
learning.
A developmental
program that
relies heavily on multi-sensory teaching methods which work well for
typically developing children, along with children with special needs.
Brief but effective practice sessions are used. Read
reviews.
Cursive "letters are
taught in
groups that share common movement patterns. For example, a,
d, g, q,
and c can be visualized on a clock face, and are
called "Clock
Climbers." Easy-to-remember motor and memory cues
help
students visualize and verbalize while experiencing the "feel" of the
letter."
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