Learning Without Tears has developed educational products designed to build handwriting skills, known as Handwriting Without Tears (HWT). The developmentally-based program utilizes multisensory learning that engages visual, audio and kinesthetic learners. Instruction is delivered through the use of intuitive, child-friendly language and imagery in students’ lessons and practice. As students practice letter formation with Handwriting Without Tears, they reinforce the alphabetic principle. This practice ensures automatic recall of symbols for sounds, facilitating knowledge transfer as they progress.
HWT starts by teaching capital letter formation through a multi-sensory approach. Children start by making the letters out of wooden pieces. Next, they use a “Wet, Dry, Try” method with a slate chalkboard, and then they progress to writing within a workbook. Once lower case letters are introduced, children learn the letter formation within groups to prevent reversals. This research backed curriculum engages all learners while developing fine motor skills and promoting handwriting automaticity.