do I want to invest in HWT for #6 out of 7 dc?

[Jodi-FL]

he's a boy, and my oldest boy (now 14) had terrible problems with writing/small motor skills. my second boy didn't have any of those problems (he's 9) but his penmanship is awful. really bad. we practice lots. so my next boy (almost 5) is really interested in writing, and I want him to continue to love it, while turning out penmanship that is beautiful (wish I could get my 85yo dfil to teach them penmanship, his is beautiful cursive even after all these years).

so, worth the investment if only 2 kids will use it (the youngest is a boy)? I hope we'll have more, but being in my 40s.......there's no guarantee.

[Myrtle]

There are different components to HWT and it depends on which components you wish to buy.

I bought the wooden pieces for tracing and while my children were entertained by them and did learn from them I don't really consider them essential. Not buying those would certainly decrease your investment.

The basic handwriting booklets were very useful.

If your two chidren will be working on this at the same time two would be useful. On the other hand, it is possible if you have a small budget to buy only one and simply rewrite the words and letters as copywork.

I did find buying the blank HWT paper useful for beginners but not so useful that I needed more than package of it. It's possible to even do a "work around" with the paper if you can make and print your own.

[Sue G in PA]

but some do. $5 a book or so? If you are talking about the other components like the wooden shapes, playdoh shapes, etc. you could post a WTB request for some used. I have a few TM's available if you are interested. I forget which ones. I'll have to look...perhaps the printing and cursive (not preK).

[Suzanne in ABQ]

I used HWT for my two kids, before most of the extra "stuff" was even available. We had a lot of success with writing, and I definitely don't feel all those extras are necessary. The HWT Teacher Manual is important because it explains the philosophy and methods. It also has a pattern for the letter shapes, so you can make your own out of foamcore board or some other stiff material. (I definitely wouldn't buy the wooden ones -- your older boy won't need them). Also, get the slate. Theirs is inexpensive, and it's made of real slate (not plastic like the ones in craft stores). The slate works better for the Wet-Dry-Try game method used in the program. I like the Desk Strip stickers, and they're only 25c each, but they're definitely not necessary. Don't get the Printing Guide; it's redundant if you have the TM. Other than that, all you need are the workbooks.

So, for about $20, you can have all you need to get started.

[Sandy in Indy]

If you think that's the program he needs, I'd buy it even if he were the last one.

[Suzanne in ABQ]

That's all I used, and we were highly successful.

The program has you use tiny bits of chalk, and a tiny bit of wet sponge for the wet-dry-try method. This really helps them learn to hold their pencil correctly -- there is no other way to hold such a small writing implement. So, you'll need those (chalk and sponge) as well.

So, this is what I'd recommend:

From HWT:
HWT Teacher Manual (Has games for letter shapes, Wet-dry-try method, philosophy, etc.)
Workbooks (Letters and Numbers for Me for 5yo, My Printing Book for 9yo)
Slate
Desk Strips (if they have a desk or table to stick them on)

From your local Target (or store of choice):
Foamcore board or heavy poster board (or wood, if you're good with a jig saw) -- to make letter shapes for 5yo
An old placemat or large piece of poster board (draw a happy face in the upper left corner)
A piece of chalk
A 1/2 inch piece of household sponge

*You may want to get the next levels of workbooks for each boy. They go through them in just a few months, and it may save you shipping.

HTH

[Tammyla]

I agree the workbooks cost so little and the TM aren't a must. Well worth the cost here. I wish we had found it before my oldest developed bad handwriting. It wasn't a hard fix with HWT, but I think it wouldn't have been an issue had we started with HWT. I used it with ds, and his handwriting has always been very nice.

[chiguirre]

IMHO, it's not a very pretty script. The printing is okay, but the cursive is not very attractive. Legible, yes, attractive, no!

If your ds doesn't have fine motor challenges, you might want to choose a program with a nicer look. I love italic, but we need the OT friendly approach of HWT.

[GreenKitty]

IMHO, it's not a very pretty script. The printing is okay, but the cursive is not very attractive. Legible, yes, attractive, no!

If your ds doesn't have fine motor challenges, you might want to choose a program with a nicer look. I love italic, but we need the OT friendly approach of HWT.

I wish I would have read this several years ago. LOL You are correct...I used HWT with my oldest child and to this day the handwriting is ...well...lets say......I have no words.

'I' would go with something else. Unless you really like their way.:)