Learning Without Tears

Handwriting Without Tears

Recommended Ages

All grades

Handwriting Without Tears is a well-known handwriting curriculum from Learning Without Tears that uses developmentally sequenced, multisensory methods to teach print and cursive. Simple letter forms, song-based instruction, wood pieces, slates, and workbooks work together to make writing less frustrating for young children, including those with fine-motor or spatial challenges. Parents and occupational therapists appreciate the friendly, clutter-free pages and consistent language for strokes. As part of a broader line of materials, Handwriting Without Tears can support neat, confident writing without tears—for kids or adults.

PreK–5 learners, especially those who benefit from movement, tactile input, and clear, consistent language about how to form letters; particularly helpful for kids with dysgraphia, ADHD, or other learning differences who need structured but gentle practice.

Pros

Occupational-therapist-developed handwriting curriculum with short, 10–15 minute multi-sensory lessons, simple two-line paper, and a strong track record in both schools and homeschools; many parents of kids with dysgraphia or fine-motor challenges report excellent results and easy implementation. 

Cons

Full sets (teacher manuals, manipulatives, apps) can be pricey, and the letter style doesn’t match every school font; some reviewers note that older students may outgrow the cutesier aspects quickly or find it too basic if their handwriting is already legible.

Many ESA and charter programs will fund HWT workbooks and basic kits as part of language arts or OT‑related supports, especially when ordered through approved educational vendors. Some may require a note linking it to handwriting goals. Check with your program before purchasing.

$18

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Handwriting Without Tears
$18.00 USD

Skills

What kids will learn
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Handwriting
Handwriting
ELA
ELA
Writing
Writing

Handwriting Without Tears Mission

The mission of Handwriting Without Tears is to remove the frustration from learning to write by hand and replace it with confidence, clarity, and even joy. Using a developmental sequence, multisensory materials, and simple letter formations, the program helps children move from large-motor play to legible print and cursive in small, achievable steps. Now under the Learning Without Tears umbrella, it strives to support every child, including those with fine-motor or learning challenges, in building the foundational handwriting skills that underpin literacy.

Handwriting Without Tears Story

Handwriting Without Tears was created by occupational therapist Jan Z. Olsen in the late 1970s when her young son was coming home from school in tears over handwriting. Drawing on her clinical training, she broke letter formation into developmentally appropriate strokes and designed hands-on materials and a workbook that would be less overwhelming. What began as a therapist’s homemade solution slowly expanded as other OTs and teachers saw its effectiveness, eventually growing into a full Pre-K–5 curriculum used by schools and homeschools worldwide. The company later rebranded as Learning Without Tears as it broadened into early-learning and keyboarding resources.

About Modular Learning

FAQ: Additional Details about Handwriting Without Tears

In a typical session, your child might start by building letters with wooden pieces or tracing them on a little chalkboard with a damp sponge. Then they open their workbook to a cheerful page with big line spacing and practice a row of letters or a few short words, sometimes accompanied by a rhyme you recite together. There are lots of quick wins and built‑in breaks, and the table may be scattered with crayons, mini‑pencils, and the occasional smudge of chalk dust.

Handwriting Without Tears is a multisensory handwriting curriculum that uses simple letter forms, clear stroke sequences, and engaging manipulatives to teach print and cursive. Families select a grade‑level workbook and, optionally, tools like wooden pieces, chalkboards, or digital apps. Short, daily lessons combine hands‑on activities with workbook practice.

Adult involvement is high, especially in the early years. Parents model grip and posture, demonstrate letter formation, and provide verbal cues and encouragement. As handwriting becomes more automatic, students can complete workbook pages more independently while you watch for ongoing habits like letter reversals or pencil pressure.

Children should be developmentally ready to hold a pencil and follow simple visual directions. The early levels can be used as soon as your child shows interest in letters; older kids can jump into an appropriate grade level to remediate messy handwriting.

Handwriting Without Tears is explicitly designed for kids with dysgraphia, fine‑motor delays, and sensory processing differences, using big movements, multisensory materials, and simple letter forms. Many OT’s and families of autistic and ADHD kids find it dramatically reduces frustration and pain around writing.

Modulo specifically recommends Handwriting Without Tears for children on the autism spectrum because its structured, tactile, multisensory lessons provide clear visual cues and hands-on activities that make letter formation more accessible. Parents of autistic children and those with sensory processing differences often find it reduces handwriting anxiety and makes writing physically more comfortable.

Handwriting Without Tears uses a highly structured, multi-sensory approach (songs, manipulatives, and explicit letter-formation cues) that occupational therapists often recommend for children with dysgraphia or dyslexia-related handwriting challenges. Short, step-by-step lessons reduce frustration and help kids build automatic letter formation so writing doesn’t drain energy from reading and spelling.

Handwriting Without Tears, part of the Learning Without Tears family, was developed by occupational therapists and uses a multisensory, developmentally sequenced approach that many kids with sensory processing challenges find manageable and less frustrating.

Developed by an occupational therapist and widely used in therapy settings, Handwriting Without Tears is especially helpful for children with fine‑motor coordination challenges, low muscle tone, or general developmental delays that make handwriting physically difficult or tiring.

Purpose‑built with many dysgraphia and OT‑informed supports (big lines, multisensory tools, very clear letter formations), so it’s often a strong match for 2e kids whose intelligence outpaces fine‑motor skills. Go slowly, keep sessions short, and move to keyboarding when legibility is “good enough.”

Modulo specifically recommends Handwriting Without Tears for children on the autism spectrum because its structured, tactile, multisensory lessons provide clear visual cues and hands-on activities that make letter formation more accessible. Parents of autistic children and those with sensory processing differences often find it reduces handwriting anxiety and makes writing physically more comfortable.

Handwriting Without Tears uses a highly structured, multi-sensory approach (songs, manipulatives, and explicit letter-formation cues) that occupational therapists often recommend for children with dysgraphia or dyslexia-related handwriting challenges. Short, step-by-step lessons reduce frustration and help kids build automatic letter formation so writing doesn’t drain energy from reading and spelling.

Handwriting Without Tears was created by an occupational therapist and is widely recommended for children with dysgraphia because it uses multisensory, step-by-step instruction (manipulatives, songs, special paper) to make letter formation less painful and more automatic. Its clear letter shapes and short daily lessons often reduce frustration for kids who struggle with fine-motor control and written output.

Refunds and exchanges depend on the retailer (the publisher’s store, therapy catalogs, or general booksellers). New, unused materials can often be returned; opened kits and digital subscriptions are usually non‑refundable. Please review the seller’s policy before ordering.

Families whose children already have neat, comfortable handwriting and use typing for most work may not need a full program; not ideal for students or parents seeking fancy calligraphy or highly ornamental cursive.

Rhythm of Handwriting (Logic of English) for a more phonics-integrated option, Getty-Dubay Italic for an alternative handwriting style, or simple copywork from favorite books for families wanting a minimal approach.

The program has evolved over time to include digital components and updated student editions, but the core philosophy—short, multisensory, developmentally appropriate lessons—has remained steady. Newer editions may include more inclusive imagery and adjusted line spacing.

Follow the recommended short, daily sessions rather than long drills, lean into multi-sensory tools (chalkboards, wooden pieces) in the early years, and combine handwriting practice with meaningful words or sentences from your child’s reading.

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Meet Jan

Jan Z. Olsen, OTR, is an occupational therapist and the founder of Handwriting Without Tears and the Learning Without Tears company. Trained to analyze tasks and adapt them for children with motor and learning challenges, she applied those skills to handwriting instruction when her own son struggled in school. Her approach emphasizes posture, grip, and simple, consistent letter formations taught through songs, wood pieces, chalkboards, and carefully sequenced workbooks. A fun fact: long before tablets and apps, Jan was pioneering truly multisensory handwriting lessons using putty, music, and movement in addition to pencil and paper.