Cursive writing can be taught from Reception to Year 2.

Phase1 Study Data:  

Does the Think Write Improve the Quality of Children’s Handwriting?

Aim of the Study:  The aim of this study was to compare the impact  the HTW had on the quality of children’s handwriting, compared to PenPals,  a recognised handwriting programme.  Two schools participated in the study: Twyford Pre-Prep School in Winchester implemented the HTW  and Yateley Manor School in Hampshire implemented PenPals. 

Method:  All children at both schools were asked to copy a prescribed pangram. Two separate samples were taken, one at the beginning of the academic year and the second at the end of the summer term. The samples were collated and then scored against a 25-quality statement, giving each child a total score of 25.  The 25 statements were categorised into 5 subsections: legibility, size, script, reversals and spatial placement.

Sample:  The children were matched for age and gender, and both schools participating were within the independent sector.  Samples were taken from 199 children across both schools, 115 were boys and 84 were girls. 

Findings:  The final scores for all children were compared using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) with fixed effects for school, gender and year.  When comparing the final scores between the Think Write and PenPals programmes, a statistically significant result (p=<0.0001) was achieved in favour of the Hemispheres Think Write.  This translated into children on the Think Write programme achieving a mean difference (improvement) in score of 5.2 points compared to the PenPals programme.  Given that the maximum score that could be achieved was 25, an increase of 5 points reflects that the Think Write programme results in a 20% improvement across all of the 5 variables (legibility, size, script, reversal and placement).

The improvements observed in using the Think Write programme at Twyford are consistent across all year groups tested (Reception, Year 1 and Year 2) and were equal between boys and girls. 

Changes in scores (Pre vs. Post) were analysed using the ANCOVA with fixed effect for school, gender and year.  A statistically significant difference in favour of the Hemispheres Think Write was observed (p=<0.0001).  This translated into the children using the Hemispheres Think Write verses us the children using the PenPals programme saw a 25% improvement across the 5 variables tested. 

In Summary:  The results of the study indicate that the Hemispheres Think Write programme is highly effective in increasing the quality of a child or children’s handwriting between the ages of 4 – 7 years, when compared to children who received an alternative handwriting programme (PenPals).  The statistically significant results from Twyford School who were using the Hemispheres Think Write show that the children attained a 25% improvement in their scores compared to children at Yateley Manor School who used the PenPals programme. These results supported the premise that the Hemispheres Think Write programme significantly improves a child’s handwriting, is consistent across all the age ranges tested, and shows equal benefit to both boys and girls, across the age ranges making it a perfect instruction tool within the school learning environment.