Peterson Directed Handwriting began in 1908 to train teachers to use a unique, movement-based strategy for handwriting instruction. Over the last several decades, priority for handwriting skills steadily decreased. Yet demand for handwriting in our grade schools has steadily increased. Recent changes have created new awareness of need as students are asked to demonstrate knowledge and understanding by putting their thoughts on paper instead of choosing A, B, C, or D from a list of possible answers. A widespread lack of composition fluency has been identified and is obviously connected to a visible lack of motor control for legibility and a frustrating lack of automation which interferes with the text generation process. It is clear that training is needed and we have prepared a distance learning process to answer the need for your school.
Recent motor research has enabled a much better understanding of the motor system, the motor learning process and its relationship to development of written language skills. This and other real science clearly demonstrates that movement-based instruction is a far superior strategy to the "trace and copy" approach so widely promoted by workbook publishers. And, PET Scan studies reveal that the impact of the learning affects far more than the appearance of homework papers. Learning to meet the movement challenge results in changes evidenced by improved sequencing, improved processing, improved fine motor control, improved attention and improved fluency with written language in all applications.
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Paper to learn more.
Special Training For All Who Are Interested
A web site interface has been created to guide your teachers through a learning process aimed at development of three key skills for instruction. The training interface is available 24/7 and is supplemented with live support from a Peterson specialist. We have created the capability to meet live on the internet for discussions with multiple people at the same time. Live meetings can be arranged in advance or on the fly. Toll free telephone support is also included. A building subscription opens the door to training and specialist support for all - teachers, aides, parent/tutors, even your student teachers.
What equipment is needed for the web training?
What are the objectives of
the training guided by the Training Interface Page?
What is the cost of the training and support?
We are offering access to on line training and specialist support via a building subscription. The annual subscription fee is $175.00. You may purchase a building subscription at any time. We will track your subscription and notify you when it is time to renew. Please note: The building subscription fee is based upon an average number of teachers per building. If you want to purchase a subscription for a small building please contact us for an adjusted premium.
Can training presentations be purchased without a subscription for support?
Yes. A tailored presentation can be arranged and scheduled in response to your request via telephone or email. There will never be a charge for a simple question and answer meeting. The fee for a conference or presentation meeting is $75.00 per hour. There is a minimum charge of $35.00 when meeting your request involves the preparation of a special presentation. We urge you to arrange a free trial meeting so that you can learn about the potential. Send an email request for a trial on-line meeting. You will receive in a reply, a web URL that will take your browser to our live meeting space. A Peterson Specialist will join you there. Others can also be invited to participate by sending an email invitation with the link.
Tutor Training - Learn how to coach students to improve handwriting skills.
Teachers, therapists and parents from all over the country are searching for help. Reports from administrators and OT services indicate a need for a new kind of training. OT services are hard pressed to meet the number of requests, let alone schedule therapy sessions with any frequency. They report a dire need for regular support between therapy sessions. Someone needs to reinforce the plan of action regularly - something the classroom teacher is hard pressed to do.
Increasingly, schools are providing aides to work directly with special needs students. A little training could allow a person to address handwriting skill development needs continuously as they work with the student. Parents continually report that therapy sessions are helping, but they also recognize that regular reinforcement would strengthen the effort. And, special services report that the majority of referrals for poor handwriting do not suffer from special problems. They do need specific coaching to internalize an effective process that will allow the child to function - to get the child "over the hump."
There are many students who need a little special help to learn an efficient process for handwriting, but the crowded curriculum creates a time crunch which leaves these students struggling. Unless someone can provide some specific process guidance, these students will fall behind in everything because the lack of fluency retards development of all language skills. Tutor training will allow you provide the process training that can get this struggling student over the written language hurdle that is holding them back.
If you are working with children and would like to learn how to assist with handwriting improvement, this training will provide you with understanding of the physical relationships and techniques for coaching skill development for handwriting. You will learn how to assist and reinforce student efforts to learn a process for using handwriting more effectively.
This training is specific to a developmental level (print writing or cursive) and delivered via the internet using email and on line meetings. A head set (preferred) or speakers and a microphone will allow direct voice communication during live meetings. If you are working with a student who needs to use print writing, that is the focus. If you are working with a student who is struggling with cursive, we will teach you how to help.
The fee for Tutor Training is $ 75.00. Please indicate "Tutor Training" on your purchase order.
Recommended Equipment and Preparation
Please Contact Us - Telephone 724-837-4900 or Instant Message
When questions arise, the best time to ask is now. You can phone or use Windows Messenger to get in touch with a specialist for instant feedback or arrange a meeting. Add <mrpencil@peterson-handwriting.com> to your Windows Messenger contact list and make a connection anytime you find Rand Nelson available. We will not contact you with this tool unless you ask.
Office Hours: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM,
Eastern.