Multi-Sensory Handwriting

Thanks for coming back to Multi-Sensory Mama!

Last time I posted this picture...

This is how I teach the Orton-Gillingham method for multi-sensory handwriting! (Side note: I love OG because it is repetitious, explicit, and provides multi-sensory learning.)  Remember that multi-sensory learning is using multiple senses AT THE SAME TIME!  

First, I introduce the letter.  We talk about what sound the letter makes, and then the children watch me write the letter three times.  As I'm writing the letter, I talk about how it's written.  For example, as we're writing the letter "g" I say, "loop left, pull straight down, loop left, stop." (Okay, so full disclosure...I didn't really like this at first because my preschool background is used to rhyming, and these don't rhyme.  They are however, predictable, and after a few weeks, my STUDENTS COULD TELL ME how to write the letter!)  Each time we write, we say how it's written out loud.  After watching me three times, the students write it on their own in the air three times (saying the wording each time).  I usually do this part on the carpet together and then dismiss everyone to their seats for the remaining part of the lesson.

I give the children a large letter as seen in the pictures.  This handwriting page is from the PAF program. 

On top of the handout is a clear plastic cross stitch mat, although they come in SEVERAL different colors, I prefer the clear one.  I have a mat for each student to use because we do handwriting as a whole group.  The students then SAY out loud the way we write the letter three times, "loop left, pull straight down, loop left, stop."  After tracing the letter with our fingers, we put the paper on TOP of the "bumpy mat" and traced the letter three times with CRAYONS.  (Crayons have a different texture to them, and provide a better sensory feedback to the student as they write.)

After this process, they would put bumpy pads in their baskets on the desk, and use a pencil to write the letters on their own on the back.  

Now, I know this sounds like A LOT!  I know it sounds like it would take FOREVER!  BUT...it really doesn't.  The longest part is teaching the routine in the beginning.  Once we had the routine down, it took maybe a total of 15 minutes!  You can use this routine for letters, numbers, or even learning how to write names!

The kids loved it!  They liked the texture of the bumpy mats, and I really did see a HUGE improvement in their handwriting!  It also really helps the kids with letter reversal and letter recognition!

Are you a fan yet?  Do you use multi-sensory instruction?  Do you have questions about it?  Feel free to comment.  I'm still learning so much about this myself!