Recently I was given the Peterson Direct Handwriting Cursive Program to review. Ideally this program is intended to be used with a Wacom Digital Tablet, but since I do not have access to one, I successfully printed out what we needed. I admit I was a bit hesitant to accept a “new” way of teaching handwriting. Initially when exploring how this program works it really boggled my mind, but with further research and reading I grasped the information and was ready put it into action. The Peterson Direct program uses a 4 step multi-sensory approach to teaching handwriting. The process of learning to write any letter involves 4 simple steps:
1) Illustrate and Describe: Using a large visual of the letter with specific words to describe each letter stroke. Letter strokes are divided into different colors.
2) Air Writing: All about muscle memory in this step. Large strokes using different muscles to help your child memorize movement. The key to this step is to move your arm with your voice as you make each stroke.
3) Finger tracking with chant: Printed pages are provided for the student for finger writing. These movements strengthen the smaller muscle memory as you again use the voice to guide the letter formation.
4) Write and Say: This final step involves using a pencil on unlined paper first. Once the child gains mastery and control, then lined paper paper is introduced and the child writes.
If you haven't heard about the Peterson method of teaching handwriting, then I recommend that you watch the 20 minute online presentation. The company sells a wide array of products including pre-bundled kits that are grade level based. Do you need pencil grips? They’ve got them. How about different pencils sizes, positioning guides, wall charts, and even live personal training sessions?!? Yep, they’ve got it! Anything and everything you possibly could think of to teach handwriting!
The downloadable E-books are non-consumable which is a real plus if you have multiple children. The price is reasonable too at $19.95 each. You can click here and preview all the E-books available for purchase.
Click over to the TOS Crew's blog to read more Peterson Directed Handwriting reviews.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I am a member of The Old Schoolhouse 2010-2011 Crew and as such received a copy of Peterson Direct Handwriting in exchange for a thorough and honest review. Though I am compensated with free products, I am not compensated in the form of cash for my reviews. The opinions I have given are mine and may differ from others but are not influenced by the company or the free product provided .