When teaching or remediating handwriting skills, I use Handwriting Without Tears (HWT). I have been using the program for 15 years to help students increase letter/number memory, formation, proper orientation, placement on the line, spacing between letters/words, and motor control. It uses a multi-sensory approach and it teaches/remediates skills in a developmental order. So with this program it starts with all capital letters followed by lowercase letters. Capital letters are generally easier to form compared to its counterpart, lowercase letters. In addition, the program teaches the letters in groups in which they have common starting points. Today, I want to share with you a resource created by a fellow OT who made videos of teaching the capital letters using the Wet-Dry-Try method. This activity utilizes chalk, chalkboard and a wet sponge. The purpose is to teach and reinforce letter formation. It is the next step in practicing the concepts of writing “Big Line, Little Line, Big Curve, Little Curve” verbal cues for letter formation. It is used for writers with beginning level skills, or to reinforce skills in more experienced writers. This helps students practice correct pencil grasp while using the small chalk pieces, it also helps them practice writing straight lines with the assistance of the edge of the chalkboard. If you are interested in learning more about the Wet-Dry-Try method or an alternate method using an app, visit https://www.lwtears.com/blog/wet-dry-try-showdown-activity-vs-app.
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