Mission Statement

Teach a proven process or hope pupils will invent one of their own? A choice is made in every classroom. Handwriting should be a useful learning tool for children in upper grades. Instead it has become a roadblock to efficient use of teaching and learning time. Pupils are expected to work with symbolic language but are receiving minimal training in physical skill development.

• Research has shown powerful links between internalized handwriting movement patterns and the reading process.
• Research has shown that fluent reading and composition involve multiple areas of the brain working in cooperation.
• Research has shown that challenging physical learning activities stimulate growth of pathways for cooperation between the parts of the brain.
• Research has shown that ten minutes a day spent in handwriting movement exercise can provide rich physical process instruction that will enable improved fluency as related language skills grow.

The science shows that movement-based approaches will produce better results. If these new approaches were published outright, a majority of teachers would reject the images because they do not have access to the research or the time to study it. As a result, the potential for positive change represents a huge financial gamble on a market where apathy severely limits the potential. The Physical Language Network will provide a means for reduction of financial risk by direct contact with an interactive group of interested, informed individuals.

The Network was created in response to requests from teachers, therapists (SLP & OT) and a growing number of parents. They believe that time spent on development of handwriting skills offers important benefits to improvement of language arts skills. Because none of us knows as much as all of us, The Physical Language Network will enable cooperation among its members leading to better results. There are other people who share your feelings about the impact of handwriting instruction on language skill development.

Together we can overcome the apathy surrounding handwriting instruction by working and learning together, sharing ideas and by demonstrating success. The internet can eliminate geographic separation and bring us together. The Network will enable cooperation with others who share your beliefs, similar student problems and similar school politics. Peterson specialists have enjoyed the ability to work and share with others because we work in so many different schools. Our connection with others is extremely valuable and productive. We are creating The Physical Language Network to extend that value to you.

Please join us. There is no membership fee. The value of membership promises to be well worth the few minutes needed to participate and will relate directly to participation and communication between members. The first reward will be a paper addressing an unrecognized issue about handwriting instruction. Recent research has provided important insight to the motor learning process. The document will be attached to email in PDF format. It will open with, and print from, Acrobat Reader giving you a master suitable for duplication. As a Network Member you are extended a license to copy the document for others if you wish or to pass the pdf file on to others.

To join us use the email link below to send your name and organization name along with your snail mail address and phone number.