In this webinar, we welcomed Christina Bretz and Tania Ferrandino from Learning Without Tears. Christina and Tania talked about the importance of grip for successful handwriting while offering tips for pre-grip instructions. They also gave us specific strategies to help create activities to promote grip and aid in the cognitive development of preschoolers.
🎤Our Special Guests!
Christina Bretz, Learning Without Tears
Christina Bretz MS, OTR/L is an Occupational Therapist from Lexington, KY. She has extensive pediatric experience providing services to children in school settings, early intervention, home health care, and private tutoring. Christina established an annual summer handwriting camp utilizing the Handwriting Without Tears® program. Christina began working for Learning Without Tears in 2002 and currently works as a Senior Professional Learning Developer. Additionally, she is a part-time faculty member at Eastern Kentucky University in the Dept of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy and is pursuing her doctorate in occupational therapy.
Tania Ferrandino, Learning Without Tears
Tania Ferrandino received her Diploma in Occupational therapy from St. Loye’s School of Occupational Therapy in Exeter, England. Tania started her career as a school therapist in Delaware, working extensively with children of all ages and abilities. She wrote a series of educational grants for handwriting materials and implementation training for school districts she was contracted to. Tania is currently employed by Learning Without Tears® as a Sr. Professional Learning Producer. She is considered a subject matter expert and has presented national and international workshops for the past 15 years.
🧪Key Learning Outcomes from Christina & Tania
- Fine motor skills are essential for self-care tasks, handling utensils, managing scissors, and developing a function grip.
- Grip is the precursor to small movements that are needed for coloring, drawing, and writing.
- As an educator, you need to teach grip! Don’t assume that someone else has been teaching it or will teach it later. Start teaching it now!
- Correct grip positions help a child to write efficiently and successfully.
- To encourage the development of grip, use little tools for small hands. This will help encourage fine motor skills naturally, improve coordination and promote effective grip.
✨Resources
- [Podcast] – Focusing on Play Before Pencils
- [Webinar] – Foundations of Fine Motor Development
- [Activities] – Fine Motor Activities for Preschoolers & Toddlers
Connect with Learning Without Tears!
- Check out their Website: https://www.lwtears.com/
- If you’d like to receive 10% off all Learning Without Tears products and workshops, use the promo code: HiMama at checkout. Visit: go.LWTears.com/HiMama10
- For more resources check out their resource page.
- Emergent Writing for Pre-K Workshop
- Crayon Song
- Starter Pack Downloads
- Wood Piece Activities
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