Handwriting Without Tears is a curricular program that addresses fine motor skills in developmentally appropriate ways. It is being used in the Kindergarten and First Grade. Here in The Nest, we have adopted aspects of the program as well.
Over the course of the year, children will be introduced to sensory experiences that help them begin to confidently identify and draw the key components necessary to write capital letters: big lines, little lines, big curves, and little curves. Soon children will have practice writing the first letters of their name, learning a proper handwriting form that will support fluent writing in the future.
We have been learning a song that helps children remember how to hold a crayon properly: Your thumb is bent. Pointer points to the tip. Tall Man uses his side. I tuck my last two fingers in and take them for a ride. We have also shared with you some of the tips for supporting this process at home.
In the coming days, you will probably notice that the clipboards will be full of lines and curves. Children will be creating designs using these forms in clay as well to increase tactile and visual memory. Soon they will begin to see how the forms come together to make letters.
The emphasis on our program will be on multi-sensory and play experiences, as well as a continued focus on observational drawing. Children are discovering the power marks made on paper can have through art and writing and all manner of message.
Thank you for meeting with us this week. We are grateful for your support and for the experiences we have at school with the children.
