Did you know that all of the upper case letters can be written with four simple strokes?  Yes, the letters can all be written with a combination of big lines, little lines, big curves or little curves.  It is with this beautifully simple notion that the Handwriting Without Tears program introduces children to handwriting.  Not only is HWT a wonderful program for schools to implement across the grades, they also have a parent friendly website and great activities that pre-school and early elementary age children can do at home.  What I have found very useful in using these materials with the girls is the common language it gives us.  Whenever one of them asks me how to write a specific letter I use the simple language from the program and they both understand exactly what I am trying say.  With this shared terminology I have noticed much less frustration when they are trying to write a letter they are not familiar with. HWT has a number of great hands-on activities for young children.  Our favorite is the wooden alphabet.

* If you are reading this entry through a feed or email update, click here for more images and a complete list of resources.

Materials & Resources

Printing Chart with Language - Capitals

Printing Chart with Language - Numbers

Alphabet Chart - Print & Cursive