CERTIFIED SIZE MATTERS HANDWRITING PROGRAM (SMHP) THERAPISTS
HEATHER DESROBERTS, OTR/L & ALLISON EMMERLING, OTR/L
HEATHER DESROBERTS, OTR/L & ALLISON EMMERLING, OTR/L
What is Size Matters Handwriting Program?
Click HERE for the letter to parents explaining the SMHP & The Rules
EVIDENCE BASED RESEARCH
A Comprehensive Meta-analysis of Handwriting Instruction
A meta-analysis of handwriting instruction by Santangelo and Graham (2016) found that individualized handwriting instruction improved legibility and fluency. Individualized instruction methods including using technology, teaching individual letters with motion models, copying from models and memory, and self-evaluation resulted in improved legibility. The amount of handwriting instruction was also found to impact legibility. Tens hours or more of handwriting instruction resulted in greater gains. Motor instruction in areas such as kinesthetic sensitivity, fine motor skills, and visual-perceptual skills was not found to improve handwriting skills.
Santangelo, T., Graham, S. A Comprehensive Meta-analysis of Handwriting Instruction. Educ Psychol Rev 28, 225–265 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-015-9335-1
The Effectiveness of a Multisensory Approach compared to a Task-Oriented Approach on Handwriting Legiblity amongst Elementary School Children, A Doctoral Research Project presented to Faculty of the Graduate Program of Occupational Therapy of Temple University
In his doctoral research project, Rai (2010) states best practice is to explicitly teach handwriting using consistent methods. Handwriting instruction must be embedded in the classroom curriculum. Other important factors in achieving the best results involved parent involvement, supplemental programs or homework, frequent visual cueing, mnemonics, self-instruction and self-monitoring. The Size Matters Handwriting Program (SMHP) is included as the example of a program that contains these important components.
https://realotsolutions.com/media/references/link/file/Effectiveness_of_a_Multisensory_Approach_compared_to_a_Task_n4b2UE1.pdf
A meta-analysis of handwriting instruction by Santangelo and Graham (2016) found that individualized handwriting instruction improved legibility and fluency. Individualized instruction methods including using technology, teaching individual letters with motion models, copying from models and memory, and self-evaluation resulted in improved legibility. The amount of handwriting instruction was also found to impact legibility. Tens hours or more of handwriting instruction resulted in greater gains. Motor instruction in areas such as kinesthetic sensitivity, fine motor skills, and visual-perceptual skills was not found to improve handwriting skills.
Santangelo, T., Graham, S. A Comprehensive Meta-analysis of Handwriting Instruction. Educ Psychol Rev 28, 225–265 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-015-9335-1
The Effectiveness of a Multisensory Approach compared to a Task-Oriented Approach on Handwriting Legiblity amongst Elementary School Children, A Doctoral Research Project presented to Faculty of the Graduate Program of Occupational Therapy of Temple University
In his doctoral research project, Rai (2010) states best practice is to explicitly teach handwriting using consistent methods. Handwriting instruction must be embedded in the classroom curriculum. Other important factors in achieving the best results involved parent involvement, supplemental programs or homework, frequent visual cueing, mnemonics, self-instruction and self-monitoring. The Size Matters Handwriting Program (SMHP) is included as the example of a program that contains these important components.
https://realotsolutions.com/media/references/link/file/Effectiveness_of_a_Multisensory_Approach_compared_to_a_Task_n4b2UE1.pdf