After completing Get Ready for the Code, Get Set for the Code and Go for the Code, we just had to jump right in to Handwriting without Tears.

The curriculum suggests you buy some of the extras to make it more interactive and fun for the child. Well, money is tight so I made up our own for much less than I would have paid.

One of the things they want you to buy is a Chalk/slate board. The kind that reminds me of the one Laura and Mary Ingalls had when they went to school.

Instead, I went to Michael’s Craft Store and they have various sizes for under $5! This is a great tool for learning to write letters! Here are the steps we follow. Mom writes the letter first in the proper way (starting on the left from the top down and so on). Then the child is given a moist sponge and they erase the letter in the same/proper way you would write it. Then the child writes the letter again over the wet area. Then he erases it again. It is all about repetition! And they love it!                                                                                                                          

Instead, I went to Michael’s Craft Store and they have various sizes for under $5! This is a great tool for learning to write letters! Here are the steps we follow. Mom writes the letter first in the proper way (starting on the left from the top down and so on). Then the child is given a moist sponge and they erase the letter in the same/proper way you would write it. Then the child writes the letter again over the wet area. Then he erases it again. It is all about repetition! And they love it!                                                                                                                          

Another thing we really saved $$ on was the wooden pieces. Instead, I made the shapes out of foam sheets. These are great cause you can make every letter of the alphabet with these as well as a very special character….MAT MAN!