Handwriting and Keyboarding
Information regarding the various available handwriting curricula:
Handwriting Without Tears Program, a handwriting program based on multi-sensory learning and developmental order of stroke development.
Size Matters Program, another program with focus on line placement and sizing of letters. No special tools are required.
First Strokes Handwriting Program, a multi-sensory approach to handwriting.
Handwriting Help for Kids. This program takes a gentle, hands-on approach to handwriting. Put those pencils away, because you're not going to need them at the beginning!
Callirobics (CALLIgraphy and aeROBICS) are a unique concept in handwriting exercises. They consist of repetitive simple writing patterns (straight and curved lines) set to music.
Zaner-Bloser Handwriting uses an easy, step-by-step approach to teach handwriting. Continuous-stroke, vertical manuscript reinforces reading development.
D'Nealian method of handwriting aims to make the transition from manuscript to cursive writing easier to learn for the child due to slanted letters that look like a mix between manuscript and cursive.
Italic Handwriting, a straight forward, simple and clean handwriting program
BFH, a modified cursive handwriting approach, allowing a fluid transition from scrips to cursive writing, great especially for older students trying to improve their handwriting
Foundations Program, multi-sensory and structured materials and strategies essential to a comprehensive reading, spelling, and handwriting program
Handwriting Heroes web-based handwriting curriculum. $4/mo or $30/yr, for class $12/mo, $100/yr, works with Windows, Mac OS, Chrome OS, Android, iOS. Available workbooks. Multi-sensory learning approach, grouping of letters by similarity in formation/ beginning strokes.
Handwriting related information, tips and tricks:
Preschool Centers to develop pre-writing skills
Hands-on ideas to practice pre-writing lines
Analysis of handwriting skills
Pencil grip 101- what do they do, when to use them and why it's sometimes better not to use them.
Hand grasp development- an overview of the milestones towards developing a functional pencil grasp
5 tips for pencil grasp development
6 easy tips to improve pencil grasp
Games to play to help pencil grasp
Developmental progression of handwriting skills- an overview of the milestones of handwriting with lots more informative links!
Why handwriting is still essential in the age of keyboarding
What's between the lines?-Info on handwriting paper options
Tips for children that press too hard when writing
Tips to increase pencil pressure while writing
The non-writing way to practice handwriting skills
35 practice ideas and 25 more practice ideas for kids that don't like worksheets
Handwriting development and ideas on how to help each skill area
Pre-writing line development and activity ideas
How to teach "Lefties" to write- tips and tricks
How to help kids who are "perfectionists" when writing
Writing self check list- who better to judge the writing than the child doing the writing?
The superpower of sandpaper in writing practice
Tipps on improving line awareness
How to make and use a spacing tool
Benefits of using a slant board for writing
Handwriting in Middle School and beyond-is there hope?
10 Board Games to Turn Into Handwriting Games
Assistive Technology for struggling writers
How to improve pencil grasp through play
Why children reverse letters/numbers and what we can do about it
Developing Early Writing Skills- Google Slides presentation from Kelly Fonner, MS. Showing many alternative ways to develop skills!
This video gives a quick overview of typical pencil grasp development in children.
Instructional Video on how to improve handwriting. This video is helpful especially for students that are older than 3rd grade and have an intrinsic (self driven) desire to improve their handwriting skills.
Free typing/keyboarding programs:
typing club (also has one-handed typing practice!)
Qwerty town (30 day free trial, then paid)
Talking typer gives auditory feedback for vision impaired students
Ratatype– This program offers several different courses for different types of learners. It is free to use, and students can earn a typing certificate at the end. There is a simple interface that does not distract the students from learning.
Paid typing/keyboarding programs:
keyboarding without tears, $10/year per student
Nessy Fingers– This program was developed for children aged seven to 12 with difficulties with spatial awareness and dyslexia. The program reduces frustration for children with spatial difficulty, starting at a low level of four words per minute to allow more time to find the keys. Nessy Fingers introduces the letters alphabetically, helping children with dyslexia to learn the letters in a familiar sequence. There are activities exploring five different islands, winning trophies and rewards as they learn. Nessy Fingers offers a free trial, or costs $55 plus, for a yearly subscription.
Typing Instructor for Kids– The Typing Instructor can be used by children who are as young as six years old. It is also appropriate for children with learning difficulties because of its special features and dozens of graduated typing lessons and games. One of the most outstanding features of the Typing Instructor is the sound features and its unique curriculum that most similar programs do not have. $29.95/yr
EnglishType– This looks like a great program to include those with special needs. There is a free trial, and a yearly subscription option. It features: A strong multi-sensory approach, Unique key / finger color coding system, Highly structured content for easy skill acquisition, Carefully chosen vocabulary boosts spelling & literacy, Visually simple & uncluttered presentation style, Both spoken & written instructions, Choice of background screen colors, Short lessons aid concentration and focus, Fun arcade-style games keep motivation high, Large font option and lower case keyboard display, Special exercises and games to increase speed.
Type to Learn– This program specifically mentions working for students with special needs. It is a fee-based program starting at 5.00 a year.
Typing Training– With simple graphics, this platform offers many benefits for students of different learning styles. It has a platform for one-handed typing, compatibility with alternate input systems, customizable difficulty levels, and helps determine the best hardware/software setup. It has a free trial, and different levels of paid programs.
Games to practice typing / keyboarding:
https://www.nitrotype.com/ is a game to help improve typing speed once the student has a good grasp on the keyboard
12 great free keyboarding games
Type Racer– Race against others, typing quotes from books, movies, and songs at speed. Students can practice alone, or race other people who have approximately the same speed. If you are of a competitive nature this may be the typing program that will appeal to you.
Programs that teach mouse skills:
Some more info on various typing programs by OT Toolbox
Resources for handwriting
(We don't guarantee that these are the cheapest places you will find these items! Please let us know if you found somewhere cheaper, so we can exchange the link! Also we don't claim that this list is comprehensive- there are many more tools out there!):
Grasp development tools:
Theraputty- won't dry out, can melt into fabric when left sitting on it!
Thinking putty (like theraputty with awesome colors, glow in the dark, magnetic etc options)
Wooden clothes pins (Dollar store etc)
Pencil grips/ adaptations:
Grips at Therapro
Grips at Amazon
Grips at The writing pen store
Pencil weights- here is a DIY option
Sensory writing tools:
Z-vibe Tran-quill writing kit- for kids that need extra sensory input while writing
Peppermint scented pencils
Wiki stix- create letters, provide a 3-D line etc.
Magnatabs- for upper case, lower case, cursive letters and numbers
Boogie board play-and-trace with see-through writing surface to allow tracing
Alternative pencils and crayons:
Twist-n-write for children
Creamy crayons for kids that can't produce enough pressure when coloring, compare to
Crayon rocks- to develop a tripod grasp
Effortless art crayons- molded to promote a tripod grasp
Overlays:
Adapted paper:
Free printable paper resources
Raised line paper K and 1st grade, narrow lined
Black, lined paper for kids that do better with inverted colors
Stop and go / spacer writing paper- free printable
Redispace paper
Letter size box worksheet maker (helps with letter sizing for a list of up to 10 words)
Slant boards (a great project for our industrial tech students!!):
One with magnetic dry erase board built in
Apps:
List of good handwriting apps to try
Letter Reflex- to help with b/d, p/q reversals
Wetdrytry- app connected to the Learning Without Tears Curriculum
Ready to Print- an app that works on pre-writing skills