Handwriting in Nature Group!

Over the past weeks, I have been working on the development of a Handwriting in Nature Group. The group will be offered in two locations: 1) Toronto, ON in the west end at Mimico Creek and 2) Larchwood Farm Nature Camp in Markdale, ON. The focus of the handwriting group will be on learning how to form the letters correctly using the Learning without Tears (LWOT) curriculum and helping to promote gross motor and fine motor skills important for handwriting using nature-based activities. LWOT is a developmental and multisensory approach to handwriting that was developed by an Occupational Therapist, Jan Olsen. The handwriting group is targeted to help kids who are struggling with handwriting, including:

• Poor letter formation, which means their letters are sloppy, messy, and can be difficult to read

• Trouble making the letters the right size, for example, their letters are too big and/or too small

• Inconsistent spacing between letters, for example, their letters are spaced unevenly or running into one another

• Letter reversals, for example, their letters are written backward or upside down

• Letters are darker and other letters are lighter due to changes in pencil pressure, for example, they are pressing on their pencil too hard and then too lightly

Nature activities such as nature scavenger hunts, making a musical nature shaker and shadow drawing will be used to help encourage fine motor skills important for handwriting! The group will also focus on gross motor skills that promote muscle strengthening, as research has found weaker core strength is associated with poor handwriting that is difficult to read. This can be seen in children who often slump or slouch over their desks while writing.

Please click here for 3 tips to practice handwriting in nature with the children in your life! Stay tuned to the website and the Larchwood OT Instagram and Facebook for updates on the Handwriting in Nature Group!