Give Your Child an Academic Advantage!
Our Programs
The writing enrichment programs at Write On! were created with your child's needs in mind: to develop your child's writing skills in a safe yet stimulating environment. Learn more about each writing program that we provide for kids.
I'm so proud of my daughter!
I wanted to be sure that she had an advantage going into kindergarten and this year went spectacularly, thanks to Write On!
Quinn Davis
Meet the Francises
Roshelle Francis is a career occupational therapist who has committed herself for more than 15 years to helping people improve and to maximize their life skills. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana and a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Rush University in Chicago, Illinois. As a trained handwriting specialist, Roshelle has partnered with parents and schools on how to best assist children and students in developing age appropriate handwriting skills. She developed the Write On! enrichment workshops to make handwriting easy and fun for all children as they prepare for the world of academics.
Dr. Philip Francis is a life-long learner and student advocate who promotes academic growth from early childhood through adulthood. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Florida International University, Master’s degrees in School Counseling and Educational Leadership from the University of Florida, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of North Carolina - Charlotte. Philip has served the children and families of the public school system for nearly 25 years as a classroom teacher, school counselor, and administrator. As an adjunct university professor, he has also trained future educational leaders. Philip has studied the importance of early literacy and the role it plays in school success and developed the Write On! enrichment workshops to help prepare children with the skills necessary to academically excel.
Why is it important to start early?
Handwriting skills can be introduced as early as 3 years old. Research shows that handwriting instruction and practice in preschool not only supports language and literacy but also motor development.
Early handwriting instruction can increase school readiness by supporting these five areas:
1
Approaches to Learning
In writing by hand, children develop and practice self-regulation strategies. Handwriting supports executive function by engaging a child’s attention and developing their ability to focus.
2
Social and Emotional Development
At the preschool level, stories created with invented spelling and pictures can be shared and processed in a writing workshop. Collaborative writing also supports cooperation and social learning.
3
Language and Literacy
Writing by hand teaches letter formation, letter recognition, knowledge of print, and sound-letter correspondences.
4
Cognition and Reasoning
The National Math + Science Initiative recommends training in handwriting to improve learning. Writing can help develop a child’s logical ability, preparing them for math and science reasoning.
5
Perceptual, Motor, and Physical Development
Writing by hand engages children in fine motor skills tasks, developing their ability to think about, plan, and form letters and simple words. Motor difficulties can be identified and addressed even before formal schooling.