PlaySmart Handwriting Lab

Service Description

Building Strong Foundations for Confident Handwriting Is your child struggling with handwriting? Does your child tire quickly when coloring or writing? Are letters hard to form, messy, or difficult to stay on the line? Do they avoid writing tasks or get frustrated easily? If so—you’re not alone. And more importantly, your child may need foundational skills strengthened before handwriting clicks. What Is PlaySmart Writing Lab? PlaySmart Writing Lab is a 6-week, OT-led, small-group class designed to build the foundational skills that handwriting depends on—through play, movement, and hands-on activities. This is not tutoring and not therapy. It’s a proactive, play-based learning lab that helps children develop the strength, coordination, and confidence needed for successful handwriting. No diagnosis or referral needed. Children of all abilities are welcome. What Your Child Will Learn in PlaySmart Writing Lab Weeks 1–2: Building the Foundation We start where handwriting really begins—before pencils and worksheets. Your child will work on: Hand strength and functional grasp development Core and shoulder strength for posture and endurance at the table Bilateral coordination (using both hands together) Midline crossing to support fluid writing movements Play-based fine motor activities that prepare hands for writing Weeks 3–4: Control, Coordination & Visual Skills Once the foundation is in place, we layer in skills that support accuracy and control Your child will practice: Pencil control and in-hand manipulation skills Visual-motor integration (seeing it → copying it) Pre-writing strokes and shape formation Eye-hand coordination through games, mazes, and tracing Developing smoother, more controlled movements with writing tools Weeks 5–6: Letters, Names & Multi-Sensory Writing Now we connect skills to meaningful writing tasks. Your child will explore: Letter and name recognition Multi-sensory writing (sand, playdough, air writing, vertical surfaces) Building confidence with letter formation Early handwriting readiness skills for classroom success Making writing feel fun, achievable, and successful By the End of PlaySmart Writing Lab… Your child should: Have stronger hands and better endurance for writing tasks Show improved control and coordination with writing tools Feel more confident approaching handwriting activities Be better prepared for classroom writing demands Experience less frustration and more success with writing