Hello,
I am a Human factors, and Ergonomics MS candidate and I am seeking information and input from academics in the fields of LD child education, psychology, motor learning and engineering.
The project that I am working on focuses on developmental dyspraxia and handwriting training methods for Ld children (ages 8-10). I would like to communicate with teachers who use traditional D’Nealian and Zaner-Bloser Handwriting training methods for handwriting skill building, and alos ask what if any difficulties have been encountered with these methods.
I would like to know first hand how the standard methods are presently being used and/or altered to successfully address the unique visual transfer, cognitive retention and moterskill coordination issues that learning difficulties present in teaching handwriting to children.
Any, and all email communications are respectfully appreciated, and will be promptly returned.
Thank you
Bill G.
Re: Handwriting training
Bill:
I am a parent of a child with LD and also a graduate student in Special Education (career change). This summer I completed the Slingerland Teacher training (a multisensory language approach for students with SLD). I was extremely impressed with the cursive and manuscript approaches to handwriting.
It is similar to the Handwriting Without Tears program in that it focuses on reducing the number of strokes to the lowest possible number. It also works on letter order and letter formation in such a way as to prevent many of the common errors made in letter reversals (d/b, p/q…).
I hope this helps.
Nancy
Re: Handwriting training
Thank you for taking the time to reply.
I don’t think this can be said often enough :-) but I’m a strong believer in listening to the people closest to a situation that needs close observation, and frankly, no one gets closer than a MOM does!
This information is useful! The Slingerland approach and the Handwriting Without Tears with their similarities and differences are wonderful “from the field” leads, and greatly appreciated.
Re: Handwriting training
Hi,
I am a special education resource teacher and have used many different programs and methods over the years. During the past few years I have been using Handwriting Without Tears to teach both manuscript and cursive. I have found success with this program probably because of the simplicity and the multisensory approach as well as the sequence of introducing new letter formation.
Good luck,
Susan S.
Re: Handwriting training
Have you investigated the Orton-Gillingham program that integrates reading, spelling, and hand-writing?
Re: Handwriting training
Hi Karen,
Thank you, yes I am. Please tell and lead me to more information.
Thus far I have read Betty Sheffields short paper “Handwriting: a Neglected Cornerstone of Literacy,”(1996).THE ANNALS OF DYSLEXIA V.46, p. 21-35. I have several other articles from that publacation slated for reading. However, I would like to hear about the Orton-Gillingham program directly from you please tell me more.
Bill
I am not a teacher, but a parent of 9 year old child who attends a school that uses the D’Nealian method. This summer, I switched him to the Handwriting Without Tears cursive writing method that was developed by an OT. He has been more successful. I think it is easier because it does away with the slant and much of the extra loops. I think for a child with visual spatial and/or visual memory issues the less complicated the better.
Thanks for doing research in this area. I know it’s been a struggle for my son.
Cathy