Motor Memory Matters!
Research shows that practice and repetition are the best way to teach children how to form their letters. It turns out that Mr. Miyagi from Karate Kid was right.
Remember “wax on, wax off?” We need to practice the same motor movements again and again for them to become automatic.
The same is true when it comes to handwriting.
Turns out, it makes a lot of sense NOT to teach the letters in A to Z order.
Because it’s a lot easier to learn to write “F and E” on the same day than it is to learn “A and a”.
Research shows that 1 in 4 children need more help with handwriting in order to grasp the concepts. This year, schools are full of kids who missed months of “typical learning” due to COVID-19.
The truth is, there is less time for handwriting instruction in school.
But here’s a trick that makes the process easier.
Teach the letters in groups by formation. Children learn better when the motor components of letter formations are grouped. Teaching “A” and “a” in the same week expects children to learn two totally different motor tasks. Teaching “F” and then “E” or “n” and then “m” is much easier.
Want to learn more?
Here’s a FREE Handout about How to Teach the Letters in Groups
This simple process of teaching letters in a developmentally appropriate way JUST MAKES SENSE!
Don’t miss out on the webinar!
CEUs are available: The course is AOTA approved, and you can purchase the webinar, slides and CEUs here
- The webinar is approved for .2 AOTA CEUs.
- Applies to any handwriting program your child has been using.
- Taught by a certified handwriting expert and school-based occupational therapist with 20 years experience.
Teaching Letters in Groups Workbook: This 120+ page digital handwriting workbook is on sale for $14.99! It features all the capitals, all the lowercase, and all the letters that can be taught together on the same page.
BONUS: This week, when you purchase the workbook, you’ll get a 32-page FREE handwriting in groups packet. These handouts are perfect for centers, sensory writing, rainbow writing and more.
Please keep in mind when teaching letters…
There’s a developmental progression to letters, too! Children understand straight lines first, then circular lines, then diagonal lines.
So doesn’t it make sense to learn letters like H, L, T, F, E first as opposed to A, B, C??
Look at the letters of the alphabet and categorize them by straight lines, circular lines, and diagonal lines and teach them in that order.
DON’T FORGET TO GET YOUR FREEBIE!