FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 16, 2006
CONTACT: Chris Boyle, Public Relations Associate
860.545.9956 or pager 860.220.3569 

"CONNECTICUT CHILDREN’S TO HOST PROGRAM FOR PARENTS TO TEACH AND PRACTICE HANDWRITING WITH THEIR CHILDREN"

HARTFORD, Conn.— The writing is on the wall for parents attending a program hosted by Connecticut Children’s Medical Center entitled “Making Handwriting Fun.” The program takes place from 7 to 9 pm, Thursday, June 15, at the CCMC School, 170 Ridge Road, Wethersfield.

Making Handwriting Fun is part of CCMC’s ongoing HOME Series (Have fun, Open Discussions, Motivate kids and Empower families), and is designed to educate parents and caregivers on fun, innovative ways to teach and practice handwriting with children. The goal of this program is to introduce multi-sensory teaching tools that will counteract the boredom of handwriting repetition. The course will cover basic principles of handwriting instruction and guidelines for teaching various age groups. Samples of multi-sensory tools will be available for discussion and trial as well as opportunities for discussion with staff regarding specific concerns. A staff occupational therapist will facilitate the program which will also include:

• Milestones related to handwriting among different age groups.
  Types of pencil grips children employ.
  
• Benefits of using a variety of surfaces and positions during writing.
  
• Tools to strengthen fine motor muscles within the hands and fingers.
  
• Basic paper and pencil activities to support improved accuracy and control while manipulating a writing tool.
  
• Making handwriting fun by incorporating multiple senses and the benefits of doing so.
  
• Questions and answers.