Elizabeth has worked pretty hard at learning to write her name in cursive. We actually decided that she can get away with a cursive “E” and her full last name. Trust me, if we would have known how hard her name would be to do in cursive we would have named her an easier name! But anyway, it is repetition that helps her succeed.
So we have gone through many sheets with her cursive name on them. She uses them to trace the letters and thus processing the motor skills to do it on her own.
Sheet after sheet have been used. Until it dawned on me to use one of those plastic sleeve protectors Michael uses to separate topics in his big binder. They are clear but come in colors. These were pretty nice until I laid my eyes on these guys….
They are called the Write and Wipe Pockets. These guys are so great.
They are these great plastic pockets that hold a paper and make it possible to use and reuse the paper because instead of writing on the paper you are writing on the plastic pocket. That makes it so great because you can just wipe it off and do the paper again.
And again, and again.
The idea is so simple but so great. Especially if you have a child who really needs to review a topic or skill. With Dyspraxia, it is so important that they learn the correct way the first time that they try something new, that being allowed to erase the work and redo it right away is so nicely reinforcing of the skill.
So take a look at the Pockets on our site for those reasons. But that is just the beginning of the uses that I see for them.
I see them being used for holding daily schedules….how easy would that be to simply wipe off the days work and redo for the next day.
I see them being used to hold lists of rules or sayings that need to be visually present for your child to see. I love that by slipping a blank white sheet of paper into one of them, it instantly becomes like a wipe off board. But one that is bendable, light weight and easy to hang on a small hook or even with a magnet on a refrigerator .
The pockets come in a pack of four with each pocket trimmed in a different color. So you can even color code which one is used for math, writing, rules etc.
Also, arriving with the pockets are five wipe off markers that are all black and have nice little wipe off erasers at the top of each one. This is nice, since usually I use my fingertip to clear our writing when I use regular wipe off markers. This makes my finger some interesting colors.
I have to say, these guys are pretty great. And can be such an easy addition to any special needs items you have.
I wish everyone a peaceful week.
Michele Gianetti
author of “I Believe In You: A Mother and Daughter’s Special Journey” and “Emily’s Sister”
Special Needs Essentials Blog 