Jewish Press

October 2007

Handwriting Without Tears is a new handwriting curriculum introduced this year at the Hillel School of Tampa.   "I heard of the program through word of mouth" said Mrs. Gloria Berkowitz, reading specialist at Hillel, "and it is just the program we’ve been looking for."

Handwriting Without Tears (HWT) was developed by an occupational therapist with the purpose of making handwriting a natural and automatic skill for all children.  The program won the Distinguished Achievement Award for the best children's curriculum as well as Teacher's Choice Award from Learning Magazine.

"We like it because it is fun," said Mrs. Berkowitz.  "The children enjoy learning while using wood pieces, dough letters, magnetic stamps for tracing, and individual chalkboards."  

HWT, taught at Hillel in Transitional Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and First Grade, establishes correct pencil grip early in the program and teaches students to form letters with correct formation, sequence, and orientation.  It is based on the fact that capital letters are made of lines and curves, and builds from there.  It even provides small pencils for little hands.  The program incorporates music and multi-sensory learning materials.

"I absolutely love it," said Mrs. Lisa Cohen, Transitional Kindergarten teacher.  "The fact that the curriculum is multi-sensory makes the activities appeal to all learning styles: visual learners, those who learn best by listening, children who thrive on movement, and those who need to touch. All children benefit from the familiar learning style and from trying new styles.  Just watching others is often all it takes for a child to want to try something new.  Multi-sensory activities alleviate boredom, enhance attention, and make learning fun."

 Hillel's Primary Division teachers were trained by an occupational therapist who specializes in the program.