Why It Works

The Hemispheres Think Write® Handwriting Programme combines clinical, psychological and educational research to build a cognitive framework using positive and developmentally appropriate resources and strategies for use by parents, teachers and therapist to help children learn how to write in a fun, interactive and engaging process.

The programme follows research that demonstrates children learn more effectively by actively doing, with visual materials that build an internal cognitive structure that help children ‘hook’ their learning together.

The Think Write Handwriting programme teaches a single motor programme for the formation of letters, linking the motor skills to an visual cognitive framework using the skills of categorisation and linking knowledge, to aid recall and motor planning.

The programme offers teachers, parents and therapists a structured programme offering happier ways for children to master handwriting. 

Why The Programme Works

Teaching Strategies

Children need "hooks" to help them link knowledge and understanding together. HTW uses colourful, child friendly animal characters as a hook to assist children in their cognitive organisation.The concepts of the programme are taught through play, games and interactive activities.

 

Workbook Design

Graded Learning modules, easy to follow workbooks, helping children to develop the visual motor skills, learn letter formation and finally developing fluidity and control for joined up writing.

 

Teaching Order

Cognitively, children are taught through games and play how to identify the letters associated with each of the animal characters. Letter formation is taught in category groups, starting with the easiest and ending with the hardest. Cognitive understanding organises and directs the hand to form the letters.

 

Evidence

The HTW has been tried and implemented with over 100 children in clinic, all showing excellent improvements.

The programme has also been successfully adopted by mainstream and special schools in Kent, Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire, Sussex and London.
 

Letter Style

Learning one movement pattern for letter formation. The programme focuses on mastering single cursive letters before moving into joining the letters together.
 

Illustrated Paper

Graded illustrated paper to support formation and spatial placement. Available in books and Write and Wipe Boards.