Monday, August 30, 2010

Peterson Directed Handwriting Review


Over the past month with TOS, we have been reviewing Peterson Directed Handwriting. I choose to only trial this on Lucy as she's not had any formal training in handwriting. The states in Australia have their own style of handwriting that is commonly used in schools. I've used Queensland Cursive in the past, as I was most familiar with it after having taught it to the older 3 children. I used it loosely with Jessica and Maddie I have used another method. So Lucy was still really a blank slate as far as formal handwriting was concerned.

I have to say that I have found the Peterson Directed Handwriting a little difficult to understand at first.Purhaps me more then them. You know I have had wedding brain for a while. However, once I sorted my end out Lucy found it simple and more 'normal' for her to use. We're using the We Write to Read Series in Kindergarten Print. They have products available for both classroom situations or the homeschooling families which you can see here.

The actual Peterson Direct Handwriting website is rather comprehensive. With video's there that help you to not only understand their product but also the rational behind the method. They link a direct correlation between the ability to be fluent with your handwriting and your ability to read and offer many studies to back up their claims. They also offer reasons why a child should not trace over letters as a way of learning to write. Click here. The course is more personalised with your ability to be able to 'speak' with Rand Peterson via a weblink. Something that not many homeschooling curriculum offer.

I loved it in the end and have found Lucy really getting the hang of it quite quickly. She enjoyed writing practice and I wasn't met with the "oh no not handwriting again!" Something that I have heard many a time in the past. You can check out more of the sample Ebooks here. Really worth a look.

1 comment:

Denise said...

I enjoyed reading your review. I have never looked at Peterson Directed Handwriting before- I will have to check it out. Thanks for your note on my blog (my 40 yr. pledge). I appreciate having a cheerleader in Australia! :)