The Penmanship Lab, LLC

Happy Left Handers Day!

Lefties face unique challenges when it comes to writing, but The Penmanship Lab is here to help. From tips to avoid smudging to tools that make writing easier, we’ve got you covered.

Comment "LEFTY" if your child could use some support!

Today, I received a special gift from a student—one half of a best friend necklace. Moments like this remind me that each relationship I forge with my students is unique and different. No two students are the same, and they know I truly have their best interests at heart. While I have high expectations, we always make time for fun. Most importantly, I strive to create a space where each student feels seen and heard and where it’s okay to be completely themselves. I encourage them to ask questions when they’re unsure and remind them that it’s okay to have bad days. I value each and every one of these relationships.

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟

I’m so honored to share that I’ve been nominated for the "Mom Approved" recognition by magazine! 🎉 This means so much to me.

Being a mom and an occupational therapist has its challenges, but it's incredibly rewarding. This nomination feels like a celebration of all the dedication and love I put into my work.

Thank you to and to everyone who has supported me.

Here's to continuing this amazing journey together! 💖

Tune in to the tonight at 8 PM CDT!

Join me alongside these fabulous ladies for an engaging and insightful discussion. Don't miss out!

Link: https://youtube.com/

🖊️ Is Handwriting Coaching Right for Your Child? 🖋️

If you’ve noticed a gap between your child’s handwriting skills and where they should be, coaching might be the solution. Here’s how to know:

✨ Identify the Gap: Is there a noticeable difference between their current handwriting and expected milestones?

📉 Lack of Improvement: Has their handwriting not improved with time despite regular practice?

📝 Specific Challenges: Are they struggling with letter formation, spacing, or writing fatigue?

📚 Academic Impact: Are handwriting difficulties affecting their overall performance or confidence?

🔍 Assessment: We explore your child's specific challenges, including letter formation, sizing, placement, pencil grip, writing fatigue, and skills related to gross motor, fine motor, and visual motor development.

📝 Customized Remediation: Based on the assessment, we create a personalized remediation plan tailored to address your child’s unique needs.

If these signs resonate with you, it might be time to explore handwriting coaching! 🌟 Click the link in our bio to learn more and schedule a free consultation today.

📝 Kindergarten Prep Writing Tips! 📝

Kindergarteners aren't ready for full sentences yet. Focus on the basics:

✨ Pre-Writing Fun: Play with clay & use tweezers to strengthen little hands.
✏️ Letter Practice: Write individual letters with proper grip & strokes.
🎨 Fine Motor Skills: Tracing, coloring, and simple drawing improve control.
🔤 Phonics Games: Match letters to sounds & enjoy rhyming games.
🖍️ Model Writing: Show how to write simple words like their names.
🌟 Positive Reinforcement: Celebrate every small success!

Let's build a strong writing foundation together! 📚✨

📝✨ Handwriting and Phonics: Connecting Sounds to Letters ✨📚

Did you know that handwriting isn't just about forming letters? It's a key to unlocking the magic of reading! 🌟

Connection: When children practice writing, they strengthen how letters represent the sounds we hear in words.

Impact: Mastering handwriting helps kids understand letter-sound relationships (phonics), crucial for reading fluency and confidence in literacy.

The Penmanship Lab empowers young learners to write their way to reading success! 📖💫

UNO: The Perfect Game for Kids! 🌟

Hey parents, here's why UNO should be on your family game night list:

1️⃣ Family Fun: UNO brings everyone together for laughs and bonding time. It's a game the whole family can enjoy!

2️⃣ Learning Made Fun: UNO teaches counting, colors, and matching—all while having a blast. It's like sneaky learning!

3️⃣ Strategy Building: Planning moves and outsmarting opponents in UNO boosts kids' strategic thinking skills. It's like a brain workout in disguise!

4️⃣ Social Skills: Taking turns, following rules, and good sportsmanship are all part of UNO. It's a great way for kids to learn social skills in a fun setting.

5️⃣ Emotional Intelligence: UNO teaches kids to handle winning and losing gracefully. It's an excellent opportunity for them to practice managing their emotions.

6️⃣ Flexibility: With different rule variations, UNO keeps things fresh and exciting. Kids learn to adapt to new situations and rules—a valuable life skill!

7️⃣ Memory Boost: Remembering which cards have been played helps improve kids' memory skills. It's like a fun memory game!

8️⃣ Screen-Free Entertainment: UNO offers screen-free entertainment that promotes face-to-face interaction and family bonding. It's a win-win!

9️⃣ Creativity: Kids can get creative with UNO by making up their own rules or inventing new ways to play. It's a game that encourages imagination!

🔟 Life Lessons: UNO teaches important life lessons like patience, perseverance, and problem-solving. Plus, it's loads of fun!

Ready to introduce your kids to the world of UNO? It's time to shuffle the deck and let the fun begin!

We had an amazing time meeting new friends, improving our penmanship, and enjoying fun activities together. We Rock the Spectrum, an inclusive gym, provided the perfect environment for everyone to feel welcome and included. From exciting gym activities to handwriting and fine motor practice, everyone had a blast.

🌟 Attention Parents! 🌟

📅 Date: June 5, 2024
⏰ Time: 7:30 EST
📍 Where: Instagram Live

We are thrilled to announce our upcoming IG Live event: "Write to Read: Cultivating Skills for Lifelong Success" 📚✨, co-hosted with the amazing RaKya!

🎙️ About RaKya: RaKya is an educator who focuses on all things literacy. Her multi-sensory and research-based teaching skills have empowered students to become confident readers and creative writers. She excels in diving deep into diagnostic data and crafting strategic learning plans tailored to individual needs. RaKya's incorporation of science-of-reading methods has been a game-changer in supporting and closing literacy gaps.

🎙️ What You'll Learn:

The importance of handwriting as a foundation for literacy.

How the Orton-Gillingham approach can transform reading and writing skills.

Insights and strategies for addressing handwriting issues within the context of literacy instruction.

Effective methods to encourage your child's love for both reading and writing.

Practical tips to integrate reading and writing into daily routines.

Interactive Q&A session - get your questions answered by experts!

Empower your children with the skills they need to thrive in school and beyond. This session is packed with valuable insights and practical advice just for you!

📢 Spread the Word: Share this post and tag us using for a chance to be featured in our stories!

Let’s come together to support our children's educational journey and ensure their success. See you there!

Get ready to rock on June 3rd for a FREE handwriting workshop as part of the Scribble Rockers Handwriting & Motor Skills Adventure Camp!

But get ready for even more excitement! At Scribble Stars Preschool Penmanship & Fine Motor Skills Camp, we offer an experience like no other. It's not just about camp—it's about creating a space where young minds can thrive, hands can craft, and hearts can soar!

For children aged 5-6, we'll introduce the fundamentals of penmanship in a sensory-friendly setting. They'll develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and letter recognition while having a blast.

And for older kids, get ready for an inclusive space where they can enhance their penmanship skills while soaking up the sensory-rich atmosphere.

Don't miss out on this chance to boost your child's writing abilities and embark on an unforgettable adventure! 📝✨

✍️🏽✨️ Handwriting matters! Learning to form letters by hand improves letter perception, spelling, and reading skills. Handwriting reinforces letter recognition, grapheme-phoneme mapping, and orthographic awareness. Motor memory developed through handwriting aids in spelling proficiency, while improved letter recognition enhances reading fluency.

We're often asked: How do you teach handwriting virtually? Here's what we do! 💻✏️

Live Sessions: Join us for live video sessions where we demonstrate handwriting techniques and provide real-time feedback. 

Digital Worksheets: Dive into interactive digital worksheets for tracing letters and practicing strokes. 

Recorded Demonstrations (as needed): Watch instructional videos that show letter formation and stroke sequences. 

Screen Sharing: Follow along as we guide you through handwriting activities via screen-sharing. 

Parent Support: We offer resources and tips to help parents support their child's handwriting practice at home.

Mastering handwriting virtually is easier than you think!

Activities for Kids with Differences and Disabilities in the Dallas Area For Dallas parents and caregivers raising children with differences and disabilities, here is your comprehensive guide to local resources.

Advocating for your child is about speaking up for their needs and rights, even when it's tough. At The Penmanship Lab, we're here to provide support as you champion your child's best interests. Stand firm in advocating for what your child deserves, and never underestimate the power of your advocacy. Together, we can make a difference in our children's lives.

Tomorrow is the big day – the solar eclipse! 🌕🌖🌗🌘🌑 We're turning this celestial event into an out-of-this-world handwriting adventure! Here are 5 eclipse-inspired activities to ignite your child's creativity and penmanship skills:

📓 Eclipse Journal: Capture the magic of the eclipse in a journal. Describe the sights, draw pictures, and jot down thoughts and feelings.

📝 Eclipse Story: Let their imagination soar with a fictional story inspired by the eclipse. Create characters, plot twists, and adventures under the shadow of the moon.

💌 Eclipse Letters: Write letters to loved ones sharing your eclipse experience. Share the excitement and wonder of this celestial event!

🔍 Eclipse Scavenger Hunt: Embark on a handwriting scavenger hunt with eclipse-themed clues. Solve riddles and uncover hidden treasures!

🎨 Eclipse Art and Handwriting: Combine handwriting with artistry. Create eclipse-themed masterpieces with handwritten details.

On World Autism Awareness Day, we celebrate the unique strengths of individuals on the spectrum, fostering understanding and inclusion. Let's raise awareness and create supportive environments to ensure everyone feels valued. Let's celebrate the wonderful diversity among us not just today, but every day, as we strive for a world that embraces and respects everyone!

📝✨ Parents, give your child the opportunity to excel in handwriting this summer! Led by a skilled occupational therapist, our Handwriting Camp at The Penmanship Lab offers more than just beautiful writing—it's a chance for your child to develop crucial cognitive and fine motor skills essential for academic success. With engaging activities designed to spark creativity and enhance confidence, this camp promises to be both educational and fun. Secure their spot today and set them on the path to handwriting mastery! 🖋️💫

Registration link: https://www.thepenmanshiplab.com/calendar

Let's break the myth: dysgraphia has nothing to do with intelligence. 🚫🧠 Students dealing with dysgraphia may be exceptionally bright yet face challenges in the nitty-gritty of writing mechanics. Handwriting coaching provides strategies and exercises to boost handwriting skills, fine motor coordination, and overall written expression. 🌟📝

✨ Letter Formation Tips for Teaching:

1️⃣ Emphasize the left-to-right writing direction, mirroring the flow of reading.

2️⃣ Begin each letter at the top, ensuring they rest neatly at the bottom of the line. Some letters may extend below, following their specific formation.

3️⃣ Engage with action-oriented language like "big line down" or "little curve to the middle" to guide letter formation effectively. 🖋️✨

Calling all parents! 🌟 Unlock the keys to fostering strong handwriting skills in your child. Join our free webinar this National Handwriting Day and embark on a journey of ink-filled learning. 📚🖋️ Register now!

Registration link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0oduyopz4vEtWK7nUB3nMDdfzoGJSzyGCi #/registration

Happy National Vision Board Day!

🌟 Creating a vision board with your child is a valuable activity that fosters creativity, communication, and a positive mindset. It encourages children to set goals, visualize them, and understand the importance of working towards them.

🌟 Vision boards allow children to express their creativity and individuality while also promoting visualization and a value-driven mindset. The process of creating a vision board fosters a positive outlook, instilling optimism, resilience, and a belief in a child's ability to achieve their goals. It also strengthens the parent-child bond and promotes open communication.

🌟 Vision boards can boost a child's confidence and help them prioritize their goals, transferable skills that can be used in different aspects of life.

🌟 Creating a vision board empowers children to take an active role in shaping their future by aligning their goals with their interests, passions, and talents.

Comment below if you've completed or plan to complete a vision board with your child!

Handwriting and reading are intertwined through the development of motor skills, letter recognition, visual-motor integration, memory encoding, cognitive engagement, sensory feedback, and phonemic awareness. The relationship between these skills underscores the importance of a holistic approach to literacy development that includes both reading and writing activities.

Handwriting coaching fosters fine motor and handwriting skills to enhance letter recognition, visual-motor integration, and memory encoding.

Schedule a FREE 15-minute discovery call today!
📧 [email protected]

Dysgraphia is a neurological condition that affects writing. It is considered a learning disability. Dysgraphia is characterized by difficulties in the mechanics of writing, which can impact both the physical act of writing and the ability to express thoughts in a written form.

The impact of dysgraphia on handwriting can manifest in various ways, including:

1. Illegible Handwriting: Individuals with dysgraphia often struggle with forming letters, maintaining consistent spacing, and organizing text on a page, leading to handwriting that may be difficult to read.

2. Inconsistent Letter Formation: There may be inconsistencies in the size, shape, and slant of letters. The individual might have difficulty maintaining a uniform writing style.

3. Poor Fine Motor Skills: Dysgraphia can be associated with challenges in fine motor skills, affecting the precise control needed for writing. This can lead to messy, uneven, or poorly aligned handwriting.

4. Slow Writing Speed: Due to the difficulties encountered in forming letters and organizing thoughts on paper, individuals with dysgraphia may write more slowly than their peers.

5. Difficulty with Spelling and Grammar: Dysgraphia can impact spelling and grammar skills, as the focus on the physical act of writing may divert attention away from linguistic aspects.

❗️It's important to note that dysgraphia is not related to intelligence❗️

supports individuals with dysgraphia by providing strategies and exercises to improve handwriting skills, fine motor coordination, and overall written expression.

"Handwriting can feel difficult as we turn to smartphones, other devices and even robots for many of our hand tasks."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/11/02/handwriting-muscles-carpal-tunnel-device-overuse/?fbclid=IwAR38r-tXpKCbme8M0pf7qXcZpbXnA4TIfNp7FepBOTXAFp99aaaOKGgfQzc

Handwriting muscles may feel weaker with less practice, device overuse Writing by hand may feel difficult for many of us as we engage less in fine motor activities and use devices more.

We are honored to share that we have been selected as a cohort member of the business assist program!

We are excited to learn and grow in the year-long program alongside other business leaders in the DFW area.

www.thepenmanshiplab.com

Practicing handwriting doesn’t have to be boring! Imitation is the first level of learning. Instead of playing using the typical letters “X” and “O”, why not play using other letters of the alphabet? Choose two letters for the game and draw them at the top of the paper for a visual model. One of the letter choices should be one that the student is struggling with. The adult will begin by having the child observe the correct formation sequence of the letter, which the child finds challenging. Next, the child will write the letter they feel most confident in writing. Take turns until someone gets three marks in a row (up, down, across, or diagonally). A new game begins, and the adult will switch letters with the child for the letter observed during the first practice game.

Positive student relationships are fundamental to academic and life successes. These relationships also create a safe space for learning.

The school year has started! Your child’s classroom is probably filled with flexible (also alternative or adaptive) seating options. Long are the days when classroom seating is a single desk with a chair. There are multiple flexible seating options that aim to support postural stability and help increase attention and arousal when seated for prolonged periods of time. However,if not used correctly, flexible seating can impede a students’ academic success. 

🪑Rules to using flexible seating:

1. It is not a toy.

2. Student lead decision for use.

3. One size does not fit all.

4. Should not be used as a reward for good behavior.

✨️Postural Stability Matters!

Postural stability should be the first sign before considering using flexible seating. Postural stability is the ability to maintain the body in one position using the shoulders, hips, back, chest,and trunk as one unit to complete a task. It allows one to sit up without leaning on anything for support. Postural stability enables precision with fine motor skills, and without it,handwriting becomes messy, and attention is limited.

Signs of Postural Instability:

🔸️Resting head on hand or forearm while seated at desk/table

🔸️Fidgets at their desk

🔸️Props to support self while seated on the floor 

🔸️Sits with feet in the chair under their bottom or legs are resting against c est to support the trunk while seated

🔸️Struggles to sit criss-cross applesauce seated on the floor

🔸️Lays down on their stomach during floortime 

🔸️Leans on other classmates when seated close to others

🔸️Whole arm writing (after 6 years old)

🔸️Poor fine motor skills

🔸️Appears floppy, slumped, weak,or uncoordinated

🔸️Leans against wall/furniture when standing in line 

🔸️“W sits” (sitting with knees, ankles, and bottom touch the ground with the feet positioned outside of the hips)

Flexible seating that bounces or wiggles should be avoided if a child appears to have weak core muscles. When a child exhibits fidgeting or slumping when seated, it is not always indicative of the need for flexible seating. Pairing a student with incorrect flexible seating can potentially create more problems.