Small Group Pre-handwriting and Handwriting (Manuscript ) Classes
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Our small group classes are part of our Enrichment Programming and serve to boost children's excellence in written work from preschool age to elementary age. It is never too early to teach children how to hold a pencil or crayon correctly, to start letters from top to bottom, to draw great pictures, and to enjoy handwriting! All of our handwriting and pre-handwriting classes focus on optimizing your child's current ability so that they will grow to be more efficient and accurate with handwriting. We do this through fun and unique gym activities, hands on crafts, sensory exploration and fine motor labs. Rising kindergarten classes have the same focus, but will incorporate some paper pencil activities in order to explore activities that they will see in an elementary or lower school setting. The overall purpose of these classes is to make children more confident, motivated and skilled at handwriting. This helps to free up the brain during school to use it for more complicated demands. Classes are taught by one of our certified occupational therapists. All of our OT's are passionate about handwriting while also being fun and goofy. Perfect to make handwriting enjoyable! Handwriting instruction should never be boring! CLASS PARENTS: SCROLL TO THE VERY BOTTOM FOR TIPS! |
Please go to Summer Programs Tab for next available offerings.
Doodlecharms III
1 hour class. Parent (optional) & child participation class for kids aged 3.5-4.5 years. Limited to 10 children.
Have a child that loves writing letters and numbers already? Why not learn the right way?! Doodlecharms III will expand their pre-handwriting skills to introduce age appropriate and advanced developmental learning for building letters of the alphabet, crayon grasp, building / writing first name, self drawings (representational drawings), and fine motor skills/control. This class is more academic and developmental than previous classes as we will be preparing the child for future kindergarten demands. Each learner will build confidence as he/she progresses at own pace while enjoying art, crafts, music, and movement. Parents will also learn helpful tips on development.
Class will utilize strategies from “Handwriting Without Tears” p/k and kindergarten curriculum. These programs are utilized by many local private schools to teach handwriting, such as Charlotte Country Day, Charlotte Latin, Saint Patrick Catholic, Trinity Episcopal, and Charlotte Christian School. Participants will be have their own Handwriting book, with some occasional fun "homework" to reinforce skills. Parents who separate from their children must return to the class no later than 10 minutes before class end. In order for parents to separate from children, the child MUST be potty trained.
1 hour class. Parent (optional) & child participation class for kids aged 3.5-4.5 years. Limited to 10 children.
Have a child that loves writing letters and numbers already? Why not learn the right way?! Doodlecharms III will expand their pre-handwriting skills to introduce age appropriate and advanced developmental learning for building letters of the alphabet, crayon grasp, building / writing first name, self drawings (representational drawings), and fine motor skills/control. This class is more academic and developmental than previous classes as we will be preparing the child for future kindergarten demands. Each learner will build confidence as he/she progresses at own pace while enjoying art, crafts, music, and movement. Parents will also learn helpful tips on development.
Class will utilize strategies from “Handwriting Without Tears” p/k and kindergarten curriculum. These programs are utilized by many local private schools to teach handwriting, such as Charlotte Country Day, Charlotte Latin, Saint Patrick Catholic, Trinity Episcopal, and Charlotte Christian School. Participants will be have their own Handwriting book, with some occasional fun "homework" to reinforce skills. Parents who separate from their children must return to the class no later than 10 minutes before class end. In order for parents to separate from children, the child MUST be potty trained.
DoodleCharms IV (formerly "Going to Kindergarten Club")
1 hour drop off class for children aged 4.5-5.5 years old. Limited to 3 children.
1 hour drop off class for children aged 4.5-5.5 years old. Limited to 3 children.
For rising kindergarten kids (ages 4.5-6). Class is limited to 10 children. The club is targeted learners who are academically ready for a kindergarten leveled challenges. Club is a fun and unique way to enrich child's skills and interest in fine motor and handwriting prior to the kindergarten year. We work on fundamental motor skills as well as advanced handwriting skills to optimize preparation for kindergarten. Club is led by occupational therapist and has a low student to teacher ratio.
Club meet once a week for one hour and a half. Club is a drop off class (these are big kids now!).
Skills addressed: proper pencil/crayon grasp, gross motor coordination, fine motor skills/ coordination, refinement of scissor use, formal handwriting program (“Handwriting Without Tears”—homework in book each week), coloring in the lines, recognition of letters (UC/LC) and numbers, building and writing letters / numbers and name, zipping, steps for tying shoes (insert parent cheers!), managing book bag, social games, turn taking, confidence building, fine motor skills interest /motivation building, and drawing people. Note that there is no gym time with this class. Class utilizes fine motor labs, handwriting labs, and handwriting instruction. Skills are taught by arts and crafts activities that are sensory based in order to increase fun and attention!
Is my child right for this class?: If your child is going to be entering kindergarten this Fall then this class will help refine those developmental skills needed for kindergarten fine motor success as well as fluidity of handwriting.
Club meet once a week for one hour and a half. Club is a drop off class (these are big kids now!).
Skills addressed: proper pencil/crayon grasp, gross motor coordination, fine motor skills/ coordination, refinement of scissor use, formal handwriting program (“Handwriting Without Tears”—homework in book each week), coloring in the lines, recognition of letters (UC/LC) and numbers, building and writing letters / numbers and name, zipping, steps for tying shoes (insert parent cheers!), managing book bag, social games, turn taking, confidence building, fine motor skills interest /motivation building, and drawing people. Note that there is no gym time with this class. Class utilizes fine motor labs, handwriting labs, and handwriting instruction. Skills are taught by arts and crafts activities that are sensory based in order to increase fun and attention!
Is my child right for this class?: If your child is going to be entering kindergarten this Fall then this class will help refine those developmental skills needed for kindergarten fine motor success as well as fluidity of handwriting.
1st Grade Charmers
Group handwriting class for current or rising 1st grade students. Class meets for an hour each week during the school year (for current first graders) and in the summer in order to encourage carryover and increased mastery of concepts. Class is limited to 3 students.
Skills addressed: Formation, sizing, spacing between words, sitting letters on line, lower case positioning of letters, pencil grasp, and self composition (ideas into written expression). Gross motor time in the gym will be given at the beginning of each class, followed by sensory and fine motor labs, and direct instruction.
Group handwriting class for current or rising 1st grade students. Class meets for an hour each week during the school year (for current first graders) and in the summer in order to encourage carryover and increased mastery of concepts. Class is limited to 3 students.
Skills addressed: Formation, sizing, spacing between words, sitting letters on line, lower case positioning of letters, pencil grasp, and self composition (ideas into written expression). Gross motor time in the gym will be given at the beginning of each class, followed by sensory and fine motor labs, and direct instruction.
2nd & 3rd Grade Charmers
Group handwriting club for rising 2nd and rising 3rd grade students. Class meets for an hour each week during the summer in order to encourage carryover and increased mastery of concepts. Class is limited to 3 students.
Skills addressed: This class will teach kids advanced handwriting concepts such as decreasing size of handwriting, increasing speed of handwriting production, organization, and self composition (ideas into written expression). Gross motor time in the gym will be given at the beginning of each class, followed by sensory and fine motor labs, and direct instruction.
Group handwriting club for rising 2nd and rising 3rd grade students. Class meets for an hour each week during the summer in order to encourage carryover and increased mastery of concepts. Class is limited to 3 students.
Skills addressed: This class will teach kids advanced handwriting concepts such as decreasing size of handwriting, increasing speed of handwriting production, organization, and self composition (ideas into written expression). Gross motor time in the gym will be given at the beginning of each class, followed by sensory and fine motor labs, and direct instruction.
Cursive Charmers
Group handwriting class for rising 3rd - rising 5th graders who are interested in learning cursive. Class meets for an hour each week during the summer in order to encourage carryover and increased mastery and concepts. Class is limited to 3 students. Weekly homework will be given to boost learning and aromaticity of cursive.
Skills addressed: Cursive formation (focus is on lower case), connectors and self composition (ideas into written expression). Class participants should be motivated to learn cursive. Gross motor time in the gym will be given at the beginning of each class, followed by sensory and fine motor labs, and direct instruction.
Group handwriting class for rising 3rd - rising 5th graders who are interested in learning cursive. Class meets for an hour each week during the summer in order to encourage carryover and increased mastery and concepts. Class is limited to 3 students. Weekly homework will be given to boost learning and aromaticity of cursive.
Skills addressed: Cursive formation (focus is on lower case), connectors and self composition (ideas into written expression). Class participants should be motivated to learn cursive. Gross motor time in the gym will be given at the beginning of each class, followed by sensory and fine motor labs, and direct instruction.
Tween Cursive
Group cursive handwriting class for rising 6th-rising 9th grades.
Class will be formed with interest. Class will target learning and refining cursive and handwriting skills for:
-preparation of SAT's, EOG's, ISEE, or ERB's
-increasing writing fluency
-enjoying the art of penmanship
-increasing handwriting organization and legibility.
Teen and Adult Cursive
Group cursive handwriting class for rising 10th graders through adults.
Class will be formed with interest. Class will target learning and refining cursive and handwriting skills for:
-preparation of SATs
-increasing writing fluency
-enjoying the art of penmanship
-increasing handwriting organization and legibility
If interested in either the tween or teen/adult cursive class, please send an email or call us at : 980-721-4839. We also can provide corporations and businesses with cursive and handwriting group tutoring.
FAQ:
Q: How do I know if my child needs individual vs. group handwriting?
A: If your child needs to make progress fast or does better in a 1:1 setting, then individual handwriting tutoring be the way to go. All kids make faster progress with individual tutoring. If your child does not fall into that situation, then group classes will enrich their handwriting ability. Most kids really enjoy group classes as they enjoy working with friends.
Q: How do I know if my child needs individual vs. group handwriting?
A: If your child needs to make progress fast or does better in a 1:1 setting, then individual handwriting tutoring be the way to go. All kids make faster progress with individual tutoring. If your child does not fall into that situation, then group classes will enrich their handwriting ability. Most kids really enjoy group classes as they enjoy working with friends.
Tips for improving and continuing handwriting at home:
Hand dominance:
use silly band or stamp the dominant hand as a physical reminder
give verbal cues when drawing to use your "boss hand" or your "right/left" hand
Pencil grasp:
Use crayons broken to about 1" long to encourage proper grasp
Golf pencils or a bit shorter work well
Use grips only if child consistently uses correctly
Cut down existing colored pencils by snapping them down with large electrical pliers
Finger strength:
Use theraputty (hide and find beads/coins, etc)
Monkey bars, hang onto rope swing
spray type bottles
use tongs and tweezers to pick up items
clothespins games
Alignment ("bumping words on line")
Have child practice saying "bump" when the pencil lead hits the line
use raised line paper (Mead-Target) to "feel" the line
Spacing:
Use a finger space between each word
Sizing:
Younger children need larger sized paper /lines
Fluency (writing at a consistent and steady pace):
Practice jump rope at home (kids 6 years and up should do 20 in a row independently)
Can't think of what to write?:
Use picture reminders of topics/places/people that help kids to generate thoughts
Teach/use diagrams to organize and outline the verbal story
Encourage the main parts (beginning, middle ending) and then learn to add details
use silly band or stamp the dominant hand as a physical reminder
give verbal cues when drawing to use your "boss hand" or your "right/left" hand
Pencil grasp:
Use crayons broken to about 1" long to encourage proper grasp
Golf pencils or a bit shorter work well
Use grips only if child consistently uses correctly
Cut down existing colored pencils by snapping them down with large electrical pliers
Finger strength:
Use theraputty (hide and find beads/coins, etc)
Monkey bars, hang onto rope swing
spray type bottles
use tongs and tweezers to pick up items
clothespins games
Alignment ("bumping words on line")
Have child practice saying "bump" when the pencil lead hits the line
use raised line paper (Mead-Target) to "feel" the line
Spacing:
Use a finger space between each word
Sizing:
Younger children need larger sized paper /lines
Fluency (writing at a consistent and steady pace):
Practice jump rope at home (kids 6 years and up should do 20 in a row independently)
Can't think of what to write?:
Use picture reminders of topics/places/people that help kids to generate thoughts
Teach/use diagrams to organize and outline the verbal story
Encourage the main parts (beginning, middle ending) and then learn to add details