The most recently released handwriting DVD of Steps4Kids, LLC, ?Steps4Kids to Write Modern Manuscript,? has once again caught the attention of reviewers earning Creative Child Magazine?s highest award: ?Media of the Year.? The driving force behind this is parent entrepreneur and education advocate Lucile Hooton Lynch who helped launch Steps4Kids in 2005 to create commercial video modeling dvds after successfully using homemade dvds for her learning disabled son.
"As a 24 week preemie born under a pound, we knew early that my son would have his share of challenges," said Lynch. "I started making DVDs to help him meet his challenges. When I saw that the DVDs not only helped him but also his brother, Steps4Kids was founded to create commercial quality DVDs to help others."
In 2007, the company released its first DVD, "Steps4Kids to Write Their ABCs," to help teach traditional block printing. Within months it was selected as one of the "10 Best Audio-Visual Products" by Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D, the child development expert also know as "Dr. Toy". The ABC handwriting dvd was also selected as "DVD of the Year" by Creative Child Magazine, and won the "5 Star Award of Excellence," from the Toy Man?. A double star endorsement from KidsFirst, a national coalition for quality children's media, followed as well. In 2008, the company released ?Steps4Kids to Write Cursive,? which similarly earned awards from the Parents? Choice Foundation, Dr. Toy, Creative Child Magazine, the ToyMan? and others.
In addition to the "Media of the Year" honor, the modern manuscript handwriting dvd was also selected this past summer as a winner of Dr. Toy?s ?Best Vacation Product? as an educational skills builder. Product review specialist, the Toy Man?, similarly selected the handwriting DVD for his ?eChoice Award,? the top award conferred upon children?s products for ?substantially? contributing to children?s positive growth and productivity.
The Steps4Kids to Write Modern Manuscript DVD teaches how to write upper and lowercase letters using ?modern printing? which is similar to the D?Nealian? penmanship program adopted in some schools as a precursor to cursive.????The handwriting dvd also includes easy-to-follow spelling games to help children learn to read and spell approximately 100 words. Steps4Kids products are now used in schools in over 18 states and in homes in both the US and Canada. The company offers free writing templates to help both home and school educators.
?Parents and educators like our DVDs because both upper and lowercase letters are taught in a single disc and teach the letters in groupings that build upon similar strokes to help children remember how to write.? says Lynch. "Our DVDs are used by teachers and parents to support beginning writers as well as struggling writers."
The Steps4Kids DVDs also include activities to make practicing fun. Both printing DVDs include drawing breaks which show how to use some of the letters to make basic drawings. The cursive DVD includes fun game breaks similar to "I-Spy?" where children try to find things in pictures featured in the DVD that start with certain letters.
The company's handwriting DVDs were co-created with local occupational therapist Harmony Pyper, M.A., OTR/L. Lynch now has products in development to support other areas such as math and the arts. The company's next product, "Steps4Kids to Multiply," is expected early 2011.
Lynch received her bachelor?s from UCLA and her doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh. She is known in the San Diego area for her volunteer efforts to help parents and educators support students with learning disabilities. She also serves on the strategic planning committee for special education for her local school district, and supports nonprofits helping low income and military families through DVD donations. Lynch has twice earned the Award of Excellence from the North Coastal Consortium for Special Education (NCCSE) (a 14 school district federal consortium for special education in North County), for her work supporting families of children with special educational needs.
For more information please visit: http://www.Steps4Kids.com.
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