Blog #11: Non-computer based technology

There is one program that is non-computer based that I really like. This technology is to help children with their letters and writing skills. This system is called Handwriting Without Tears. It is for children who have trouble with their fine motor skills, may have a vision impairment, or may simply be struggling with the writing skills. This program works by giving children a couple different shaped pieces of wood and they can make their letters using these pieces. This allows these students to not get too frustrated when they are having trouble with their writing skills. The student can do their writing, but by physically forming the letters with wood pieces instead of actually writing them out. Eventually students will begin to get the idea of how to shape the letters and begin to write them out successfully. I really like technologies that allow students to show what they can really do.


To read more about the importance of writing and the Handwriting without tears program you can read a newsweek article about it at...
http://www.newsweek.com/id/67956

You can also check out the home page for Handwriting without tears at ...
http://www.hwtears.com/index.html
This site has all their products on it and ways for parents, teachers, and therapists to use the sytem.

This program has come a long way since it first started. It can even work on children's cursive ability.