Helene Lieberman MS, OTR/L www.blackbackhandwriting.com As a pediatric occupational therapist who has worked with children for more than 38 years, I’ve always believed that there is something very special about putting a pencil in a child’s hand and actually writing. Now, research has again proven me right!! Research is giving us even more evidence that handwriting is doing much more than putting letters on paper. With technology becoming such a huge part of our everyday

by: Helene Lieberman MS, OTR/L https://www.blackbackhandwriting.com/ BlackBack Handwriting Programs Did you know your preschooler spends 30 minutes to an hour—or even more—sitting in a car seat each day? Think about what typically happens during that time. They may be: Watching a tablet or phone Listening to music or stories Playing with a toy Looking out the window Talking with parents, siblings, or caregivers Taking a nap Having a snack Annoying their siblings Of course,

Helene Lieberman MS, OTR/L www.blackbackhandwriting.com Times may have changed, but some skills are always needed. Children will hopefully grow in to adults who are productive. These children will be the decision makers and caretakers of the future- making decisions and possibly taking care of us!! Who do you want in those roles??? Group Work Group work and projects are an important place for children to communicate and collaborate. Children will need to express their ideas a

Helene Lieberman MS,OTR/L https://www.blackbackhandwriting.com/ When teachers ask me to take a look at a child’s handwriting, I don’t start by looking at the letters on the page. I start by looking at the child. Before we work on letter formation, spacing, or neatness, I look at four important physical foundations that can make handwriting easier, more comfortable, and more successful. These are the 4 P’s of Handwriting: Posture, Paper Position, Pencil Grip, and Pressure. Th

Helene Lieberman MS, OTR/L www.blackbackhandwriting.com Did you know that schools in Finland have students go outside for 15 minutes after every 45-minute period of instruction. This happens every school day!!! The most recent academic data, 2022, reveals that the United States outperforms Finland in reading literacy, while Finland outperforms the U.S. in mathematics and science. I am not saying reading is more important than math or science. I feel more strongly about n

Helene Lieberman MS, OTR/L www.blackbackhandwriting.com When I go into a classroom, teachers always want me to look at pencil grasps of several children because the child holds the pencil “odd”. I am always happy the teachers are paying attention to a child’s pencil grasp and I am always happy to look at every grasp. I look at other things as well, but I will focus on grasp for now. For years, the tripod grasp—the pencil held between the thumb, index finger, and middle finge

New Blog Post Why Kids Need to do Some Things for Themselves Posted by heleneotl1, 2 As parents, grandparents, caregivers, teachers and therapists, it's natural to want to help children. We tie their shoes because it's faster. We zip their jackets because we're running late. We pour the milk to avoid a spill. We clean up toys because it's easier than waiting. But sometimes, in our effort to help, we unintentionally take away valuable opportunities for children to learn. Every

Some of the best activities to develop hand strength use everyday items and feel like play instead of “work.” The key is choosing tasks that strengthen the thumb, index, and middle fingers while the rest of the hand stays stable. One easy, effective activity uses clothespins with a spring opening and closing. You may have clothespins in your house or you can get them in a big box store or discount store. Have kids clip clothespins onto containers, paper plates, or even their

Close your eyes and imagine a primary classroom. Look around. What are the students doing? What is the teacher doing? Often, the image that comes to mind is one of students seated still and silent at their desks. Although students may have opportunities for movement during recess or physical education, movement is rarely embedded within classroom instruction itself. For young learners, this creates a disconnect between how they are expected to learn and how they naturally eng

Our world is going digital, so it is really necessary to learn to write. Absolutely!!! Handwriting is still important because it helps the brain learn and remember information more effectively. When you write by hand, your brain has to slow down and process each letter and word, which strengthens memory and understanding. Research backs this up!! This is especially important for children who are learning letters, spelling, and how to organize their thoughts. Handwriting also