Meet Leslie Catlett of The Penmanship Lab

The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) implemented the Common Core Standards (CCS) in 2010, with no mention of handwriting, manuscript (print), or cursive writing. The CCSS includes standards for legible manuscript writing in kindergarten and grade 1 but no requirements beyond these lower grade levels. Handwriting has gradually become less of a priority, while an increased emphasis is on technology instruction. The de-emphasis on handwriting instruction was the impetus for The Penmanship Lab.

The exclusion of handwriting instruction results in a lack of fine motor skills and brain development. Writing by hand develops reading readiness skills such as letter recognition, directionality, and visual perceptual skills. It also provides perceptual-motor (a combination of the senses and motor skills) experiences unifying what is learned, including letter shapes, sounds, and motor plans. Practicing writing letters allows the writer to think about how to put the letters together to form words and the structural appearance of the writing.

I created a space for The Penmanship Lab in conjunction with homeschool instruction and my Occupational Therapy practice. I researched resources available to small businesses and my target audience. I purposely sought out educational institutions and programs that augment formal instruction, such as recreational centers, libraries, and afterschool programs.

Juggling my roles as a wife, mom, homeschool instructor, and solopreneur has its challenges. My excellent time management skills allow me to perform tasks with attention to detail.

Cultivating my creativity and willingness to think outside the box has helped me grow my business. Providing students with opportunities to be creative helps develop problem-solving and motor skills. Implementing multi-sensory experiences aid students with learning difficulties or impairments.

Using social media has helped my creative process. It has encouraged new ways of thinking and provided different perspectives. I have created informative posts, images, and videos; and hosted virtual events to engage my audience and grow my brand.

The Penmanship Lab offers handwriting and fine motor coaching for students in grades K-5. I am known for providing high-quality instruction/coaching, tools to improve legibility, and maintaining a nurturing and fun format.

What sets me apart from others is that I meet the child where they are. I determine their current skill set and develop an action plan specific to their needs. I am most proud of the skill set and the confidence my students obtain after working with me. I often have students who avoid writing tasks due to 1) a lack of confidence, 2) mechanics- a. visual processing (processing what they see and copying it), b. poor hand or grip strength, c. posture/core strength. The quest for neater handwriting need not be complicated. Perfection is not the goal. The goal is for handwriting to be a natural and automatic skill. My instruction is fun and focuses on writing (letter formations, sizing, and placement). I provide positive feedback, which keeps students engaged. The students become less reluctant to write and gain pride in their writing. While society is technologically driven, handwriting remains a vital skill.

As a parent, I understand the value of instructional services/programs that aid my children’s needs and development. Hence, I am committed to providing quality service. I listen to parents’ concerns, respect their feelings, and make my services accessible, which has proven instrumental to my success.

I want the world to know that I am passionate about cultivating a child’s handwriting and fine motor skills. I have made it my life work to equip students with the confidence to communicate through writing for academic and personal success.

The confidence that a student develops through my coaching is the greatest reward. The achievement of expression via handwriting-for a child can have far-reaching successes, both in and outside academia.