Effectiveness of a handwriting readiness program in head start: a two-group controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
This study measured skill improvement in prewriting skills, kindergarten readiness, first-name writing, and handwriting-nonspecific fine motor skills of students at Head Start who participated in Handwriting Without Tears-Get Set for School (HWT-GSS) programming.


METHODS
We conducted a two-group, nonrandomized controlled trial using a pretest-posttest design at a rural Head Start. The effectiveness of adding the HWT-GSS curriculum in one preschool classroom was compared with a control classroom.


RESULTS
On posttesting, the experimental group made significant improvements compared with the control group in prewriting, kindergarten readiness, and fine motor skills. Both groups made significant improvements between pretesting and posttesting in prewriting, first name writing, and school readiness.


CONCLUSIONS
Adding HWT-GSS to the Head Start program would be beneficial in improving handwriting readiness skills.
Occupational Therapy Department, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA.
Carol A
CA
Lust
Denise K
DK
Donica
D002675:Child, Preschool; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational; D005260:Female; D006236:Handwriting; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D016896:Treatment Outcome