Q: Why teach handwriting?
A: Students are expected to copy assignments from the board, take notes, and write test answers – legibly. Because students are graded on written output, not on what they might know, difficulty in any of these areas impacts achievement. Furthermore, because handwriting is visible, students compare the quality of their handwriting to that of their peers. Students with strong academic potential but poor handwriting frequently perceive themselves as low achievers.
Q: Is handwriting important given the widespread use of computers and keyboards?
A: Yes. Legible handwriting is still required in the classroom and is expected by teachers. Furthermore, as students learn handwriting, they are building other developmental skills such as sequential memory and fine motor ability. These fundamental skills assist students in other essential academic areas such as math.
Q: Has scientific research uncovered better methods by which handwriting should be taught?
A: Yes. Traditionally, handwriting has been taught as an art, but research now allows us to teach handwriting based on scientific research. Handwriting is a basic motor skill, like riding a bike or walking, but advances in motor skill learning have not been incorporated into the process of teaching handwriting. To become proficient at a motor skill, a student must acquire muscle memory.
Q: What is muscle memory and why is it so important?
A: Muscle memory allows an action to be automatic and mechanical – it does not require active thinking. Research shows that if a student has to think about how to write a letter, his or her ability to spell or write an answer is hindered. When proper handwriting becomes a muscle memory, a student is free to devote all active thinking to the ideas that he or she is trying to express. Forming the letters requires no thought; it just “happens.” Muscle memory is developed through a two-step process: motor pattern mastery and pattern repetition.
Q: How is a motor pattern mastered?
A: To master a motor pattern (such as ” how to write the letter p”), a student must have a visual image of the pattern and knowledge of the sequential steps by which the pattern is formed. When learning the motor pattern, a student needs individualized supervision and immediate feedback to ensure that he or she has correctly visualized and sequenced the pattern.
Q: What is pattern repetition?
A: Through repetition, the reproduction of a motor pattern evolves – from intense, careful, purposeful practice to an easily reproduced, automatic written pattern. Repetition of the pattern leads to muscle memory, which means that active thinking is no longer required to produce the pattern. In the context of handwriting, this means that rather than dedicating a portion of active thinking to the question of “how to write the letter p,” a student can focus entirely on the question of “how to spell the word apple” and rely on his or her muscle memory to express the thought in writing.
Q: Has this research been incorporated into Write-On Handwriting’s handwriting system?
A: Yes. Write-On Handwriting’s computer software applications were the first tools on the market that emphasized motor pattern mastery. Instructional tools should provide the visual and sequential instruction necessary for initial training in proper letter formation (motor pattern mastery). Our products are based on research and years of experience with students providing effective handwriting curriculum to educators and parents.
Q: How do the Powerful Printing and Conquering Cursive software programs and App for iPad provide motor pattern instruction?
A: Within each of the print and cursive software programs and the print App for iPad, letters are grouped based on the initial pencil stroke. This way, students are not required to memorize 52 print letter patterns and 52 cursive letter patterns in a disconnected and disorderly manner. They build skill using just 5 lower case print patterns, 5 capital letter print patterns, 7 lower case cursive patterns and 7 capital letter cursive patterns.
Q: Does Write-On Handwriting provide tools for pattern repetition?
A: Yes. After mastering the motor patterns underlying the proper formation of letters, students transition from the computer software or App to Write-On Handwriting’s paper workbooks. This is where they take pencil to paper and, through repetition, convert pattern mastery to muscle memory.
Handwriting becomes fluid, legible and automatic.
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