Handwriting Without Tears Intervention Examples

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As part of my professional rotation, I have chosen to pursue multiple certifications in Handwriting Without Tears (HWT).  This handwriting instruction program focuses on using a multi-sensory and developmentally appropriate approach to handwriting acquisition. So far, I have obtained certification in the Pre-K Readiness & Writing Workshop and the K-5 Handwriting Workshop.  The following intervention ideas were discussed at these workshops.  I was also able to observe the implementation of these activities by an occupational therapist in the school setting.

Mat Man: Mat Man is designed to teach body awareness and the spatial orientation of body parts in regards to one another.  Studies have shown that with the use of Mat Man, children were more aware of body parts and their spatial relationships to one another as demonstrated through drawings (Handwriting Without Tears, 2007).

Photo Reference: Handwriting Without Tears. (2007).  Mat man teaches children to draw. Retrieved from http://www.hwtears.com/hwt/why-it-works/research

Building Mat Man on a Budget: Although the entire Mat Man kit is available for purchase at the following link: http://shopping.hwtears.com/category/Mat_Man, it is great to have a way to build Mat Man without great expense.  Once you have the Wood Pieces Set for Capital Letters and the Mat for Wood Pieces (which both are included in the Pre-K Handwriting Certification Course), then the eyes, nose, hair, and belly button seen in the following picture can be made out of cotton balls or laminated construction paper.

Example of Using HWT Manipulatives for Letter Formation: I was able to observe an OT use the HWT tools to progress a child developmentally through the process of learning letters.

1. First, a model of the letter was provided using the wooden pieces and the associated terminology. (In this case, the therapist said, "Big line down, frog jump up, and big curve" when making the letter "D"). 
2. Then, the child was asked to build the letter using the wooden pieces while saying the same terms. 
3. Eventually, the model was removed and the child was asked to create the letter with the wooden pieces. 
4. The child was then asked to draw the letter.  
5. If the child did not retain knowledge of that letter during the next session, then the lesson was repeated.  When a child demonstrates memory of that letter, then more letters may be introduced. 

HWT Worksheets: Here is an example of  a worksheet reviewing the frog jump capital letters.  Notice the small dots indicating the proper place to start each letter (at the top!).  HWT also provides two lines to assist with proper spacing and letter formation.  This worksheet was completed by a typically developing 6 year old. 

All non-referenced photos were taken independently using purchased HWT materials for examples.

For more information about Mat Man or the Handwriting Without Tears Curriculum, visit www.hwtears.com or www.getsetforschool.com. 

Stay tuned for more student examples and HWT intervention ideas in the weeks to come :-)