handwriting without tears

Handwriting Without Tears is a developmental, multisensory handwriting curriculum designed to make learning to write easier and more engaging for children from preschool through grade 6. Created by occupational therapist Jan Olsen, the program emphasizes simple, clear letter formation, proper pencil grip, and letter spacing with a unique, easy-to-learn letter style that reduces unnecessary strokes. It uses hands-on tools like wooden letter pieces, chalkboards, music, and interactive activities to support learning, making it especially effective for children with fine motor challenges or special needs. The program offers systematic instruction from manuscript to cursive writing and integrates literacy skills aligned with the Science of Reading. Lessons are typically 10-15 minutes daily and include student books and teacher guides with explicit teaching scripts and multisensory activities to engage all learners. It is also noted for being developmentally appropriate and user- friendly for both right- and left-handed writers.