The Get Set for School program is the high quality program you would expect from the Handwriting Without Tears Company. This program was designed specifically for the preschool years, and uses the fun methods you would expect for that age. This program employs a unique, multisensory approach which prepares children to write. Children will play, build, sing, color and learn while developing important skills. The Sing Along CD provides a collection of songs that can be used to help teach letters, numbers, counting and other skills. The Stamp and See Screen works in the same way as a Magna-Doodle. It is a 4”x 6” magnetic screen that allows children to stamp capital letters with the four wooden magnetic stamps (big line, little line, big curve, and little curve). It also includes a writing tool that can be used to write directly on the screen. A slide eraser makes it easy to use the screen over and over again. The Roll-A-Dough Letters set provides for a more hands-on approach in familiarizing children to letters and numbers. The set includes a 4”x 6” tray, laminated number and letter cards, and twelve ounces of dough so that children can “build” their own letters and numbers. The number and letters cards are also available as a separate item for those of you who may not need the extra components in the set or for those who may be working with multiple children.

The Pre-K Teacher’s Guide is now expanded with more information and instruction. The “Getting Started” section includes information about the preschool children, how they learn, and their learning environment. A complete explanation is given on how to use the Capital Letter Wood Pieces and Slate Chalkboard, as well as the manipulatives previously mentioned. Additional games and activities are also found in the front section of the guide. There is so much more information included in the Teacher’s Guide that I can’t list it all. Lessons are easy to use and there is a suggested schedule found in the back of the book.

The Get Set for School workbook now has more pages. Crayon skills are developed while using special pages for scribbling and coloring. Strokes are practiced on “Mat Man” before ever making a letter. Capital letters and numbers are then practiced using a crayon. There are also extra activity pages which check readiness skills.

This is a wonderful introduction to the world of handwriting for the preschool child.

Customer Reviews

 
Theresia M. from Ohio wrote the following on 11/26/2007:
As an Occupational Therapist and a homeschooling mother, I can't stress enough the importance of our little ones developing good writing habits from the start. These Pre-K materials are fun and effective for doing just that! The workbook gives the pre-kindergartener instruction and practice in all of the strokes and curves required for handwriting. It moves from more simple to more complex strokes. Most importantly it gets our little ones starting their letters at the top and making 'counterclockwise o's'-an important basic in handwriting. The pages are set up in a very simple, non distracting format. Along with each capitol letter learned there is a black and white picture that corresponds to the letter, that can be colored in. I like the chart that is included also that shows the correct formation of all of the capitol letters, so we can help our children to learn to write in the most effective manner. I have to say that I love all of the Handwriting Without Tears materials and use them both in our homeschool and also when I work in the school system. But the Pre-K program is my favorite of all!! It is much easier to teach children right from the start than trying to go back and do remedial work later. It is important to remember when looking at these materials that these are Pre-K materials. If you have a child who has been writing letters and is comfortable with a pencil, you might want to start with the first printing book that teaches all of the upper and lower case letters, introducing and reinforcing correct letter and number formation. In the 14 years of homeschooling, I've tried at least 5 other handwriting programs. But for the last six years I've used Handwriting without Tears exclusively with preschoolers through ninth graders. It's nice to have a program that both the children and I really like, that is affordable, requires no prep work and is EFFECTIVE!

 
Stacy W. from Arizona wrote the following on 01/21/2008:
I've used the Pre-K, K, and 1st grade materials published by Handwriting Without Tears both with my son and daughter. I love this system! It works with all kinds of learners-- visual, kinesthetic, auditory. The vocabulary used is consistent and child-friendly: "big lines, little lines, starting corner, bump the line," etc. I also like that the workbook pages provide a reasonable amount of practice, but aren't overwhelming. For pre-K and K students, a slate is essential. I also recommend using the wood pieces for this age group, though they are not necessary. The accompanying CDs add an element of fun, but aren't vital to the program. The teacher's manual is very useful. However, once I'd taught the K level and learned the vocabulary and techniques, I found I didn't need the manual to teach the Grade 1 book. I will, however, buy the manual when I start teaching cursive. Hand Writing Without Tears is an economical, child-centered, well-conceived, and FUN way to get your children started with handwriting. Highly recommended!