We started this today and Whitley LOVED it! We played with the big lines, little lines, big curves and small curves (she' played with them before), did a few workbook pages, did a capital letter L, played some of the finger plays and songs from the CD, and built and drew mat man. Sounds like a lot but she was having so much fun, I just followed her lead.

The only problem I am having is knowing at which point to do what, I mean we have the slate, the magnadoodle type magnent baord, the laminated letter cards, the mat, the workbook. I am not sure which things are supposed to be done developmentally first, kwim? Today we did prestrokes in the workbook and I didthe letter L since it was first in the workbook. But do i introduce it on the slate and magnadoodle too at this point or does that comes later? Help! She holds her crayon correctly so I didn't have to work on that. She knows all the names (not sounds) of her letters, but doesn't really seem interested in making the L correctly for instance with the wood pieces. I ttried it and she just kept tellin gme no and made her own designs. LOL Which is fine, but should I just stick with the workbook for now or what?

I wish I had the answers to your questions, as we're about to start this with Lauryn. I'm hoping someone will reply who can help.

I just ordered this: http://www.sensoryedge.com/hawiteprpr.html

I also found some of the letters on ebay for $9 - they aren't from hwt, but are made to be just like the letters and it's such a good price that I'm going to try them. Do you have the teacher's guide? The PreK one comes with the package I ordered, but I haven't seen it yet to know how much help it will be.

I use hwt with both Jacob (printing) and Reid (cursive), but they were beyond this point when I discovered it. I haven't bought the TGs for either of them, just the workbooks and they've been self-explanatory.

Anyway, good luck to both of us! Jacob learned so easily - read his first book when he was 3. Lauryn has only recently shown a real interest in letters, so I'm hoping this will be a good fit for her.

Gosh, if she's 3, I wouldn't worry about it. She's so young, My 5 year old is still having trouble forming letters (which is still normal for his age)

Originally posted by Tap dancin mama
Gosh, if she's 3, I wouldn't worry about it. She's so young, My 5 year old is still having trouble forming letters (which is still normal for his age)

Is this directed at me? Lauryn is actually 4 and of course I haven't pushed her at all. I'm just saying that Jacob did this type of thing early and Lauryn hasn't. I've gone out of my way to not compare them, but she's showing signs of interest now so I think it's time for this hwt preschool program.

Lisa

Originally posted by lassie
but doesn't really seem interested in making the L correctly for instance with the wood pieces.

No, it was directed at the op's comment above.

I have been using HWT with my son. When we got to the part where letters were starting to be introduced we started with the workbook and sticks. I would then ask him if he would like to make the letter with the magnets, playdoh or shaving cream (on the doh tray). Sometimes he wanted to them all but most of the time just the shaving cream.

Originally posted by Tap dancin mama
No, it was directed at the op's comment above.

I don't really no how to take your response. I am not *worried about it*. I was just asking in what order you are supposed to use the manipulatives. The TG explains exactly how to use everything so thoroughly but not in what order. I said in my OP that since she wasn't wanting to form letters correctly with the wood pieces, we are going to stick with the workbook for now. She still plays with the wood pieces - we make mat man, bunnies, other creatures and she has a ball. but if she isn't interested in making the letters with the wood pieces, I am not gonna push it.

She DOES however seem very interested in writing and has for about six months now which is why I bought the curriculum in the first place. She can make a capital W and H and O and E. I thought she'd have fun with this curriculum and she is.

Oh never mind.

Originally posted by amamasluv
I have been using HWT with my son. When we got to the part where letters were starting to be introduced we started with the workbook and sticks. I would then ask him if he would like to make the letter with the magnets, playdoh or shaving cream (on the doh tray). Sometimes he wanted to them all but most of the time just the shaving cream.

Thanks! I didn't buy the dough tray but we can try it on a cookie sheet with shaving cream. Sounds fun!

Originally posted by Softiemommy
I wish I had the answers to your questions, as we're about to start this with Lauryn. I'm hoping someone will reply who can help.

I just ordered this: http://www.sensoryedge.com/hawiteprpr.html

I also found some of the letters on ebay for $9 - they aren't from hwt, but are made to be just like the letters and it's such a good price that I'm going to try them. Do you have the teacher's guide? The PreK one comes with the package I ordered, but I haven't seen it yet to know how much help it will be.

I use hwt with both Jacob (printing) and Reid (cursive), but they were beyond this point when I discovered it. I haven't bought the TGs for either of them, just the workbooks and they've been self-explanatory.

Anyway, good luck to both of us! Jacob learned so easily - read his first book when he was 3. Lauryn has only recently shown a real interest in letters, so I'm hoping this will be a good fit for her.

Good luck to you guys! It's a fun curriculum!