Why the Cognitive Framework?

Understanding the Function of the HTW Cognitive Framework 

Think Write builds knowledge over time, using association to support children’s ability to hold information together, making learning easier.  Makes handwriting fun.  

Step 1:  Building the Hook  

The Hemispheres Think Write Programme identifies that children need to build individual thinking folders into which they can store information together, by building a network of cognitive associations. 

Information that is stored together is retrieved together.   

Step 2:  Associating the Image

Visual imagery forms a fundamental part of children’s memory systems and therefore, the Think Write programme uses animal characters to form the ‘hook’ to which all subsequent learning is associated attached. 
This is Harriet, she is a cow and she lives on a farm.  Children are taught to retrieve stored information that they know about the animal before associating it with Harriet tthe Cow. Specific movements are used to reinforce the association. 

Key facts:   Tall, stands on grass, reaches up to the clouds. 

Step 3:  Linking the Starting Shape

To build the connection between the animal character and the alphabet letters, Think Write identifies that the primary way for children to learn correct formation is knowing how to form the initial starting strokes. As Think Write is a cursive programme we have selected the starting shape to act as the ‘controlling feature or the ‘bridge’ between each animal character and their letters. Linking the association between the visual image and the starting shape is achieved using movements and games. 

Harriet the Cow’s starting shape is a tall straight line, it starts on the grass and reaches up to the clouds.

Step 4:  Establishing the Category

The final piece of the puzzle, lies in associating all the letters that start with a tall straight line with Harriet the Cow. 

Children then use movement, interactive games and writing to build effective motor control for the letter formation. 

Knowing how to form the starting shape  means children can then make the letter look right.