News

Getty-Dubay Italic has earned the 2025 Modular Learning Award

by

Getty-Dubay® Italic has been selected as a 2025 Modular Learning Award winner!

This recognition is part of Modulo’s 2025 Guide to Homeschooling Programs, which features 1,000 carefully vetted resources across 116 categories. The award highlights the very best programs that meet the highest standards for homeschooling families, including:

  • Uniquely innovative and not designed just for test prep.
  • Kids love them and find them highly engaging.
  • Error-free and grounded in accuracy.
  • Foster critical thinking without hidden bias or indoctrination.
  • Secular and welcoming to all families.
  • Built on thoughtful, child-centered pedagogy.
  • Encourage self-directed learning and exploration.
  • Highly recommended by families with domain expertise and personal experience.

Getty-Dubay® Italic stood out among tens of thousands reviewed, reflecting its exceptional quality and impact on learners. The 2025 2025 Guide to Homeschooling Programs is designed to be a trusted resource for families navigating the ever-growing world of homeschooling programs, showcasing outstanding options like Getty-Dubay® Italic.

Learn more at https://www.modulo.app/all-resources/homeschooling-programs-2025.

Handwriting Day 2025

by

We’re partnering with
Handwriting the Constitution
for National Handwriting Day, 2025

Every year, on John Hancock’s birthday, the United States celebrates the amazing cultural phenomenon of handwriting. Handwriting communicates — it expresses ideas, emotions, thoughts, instructions. Handwriting organizes — by making lists, plans, goals. Handwriting teaches — it helps us to learn and to think. And it connects us to thousands of years of cultural history.

There are many ways to celebrate Handwriting Day, and they all involve exercising that basic literary skill that you probably don’t remember learning for the first time. You can write a letter, postcard, or just a note to a friend or family member — a thank you, a get-well-soon, a love letter or a business letter. You can learn a new handwriting style, or brush up the one you use. You can write out your favorite poem, quotation, or document.

At Handwriting Success, we are celebrating Handwriting Day 2025 by joining the ongoing events of Handwriting the Constitution. (Read the NYTimes.com story here.) Find out more about this non-profit organization created by Morgan O’Hara, and organize your own event www.hanwritingtheconstitution.org.

See below the event that is being sponsored by Handwriting Success in collaboration with Handwriting the Constitution. It is free and open to the public. Spend quality time getting to know this foundational document of self-governance by copying it out by hand, either at this event, on your own or in a group, in public or in private.

You can find out more about how to participate, or create your own local event at www.handwritingtheconstitution.org.

Handwriting the Constitution for National Handwriting Day event:

Wednesday, January 22, 3pm to 5:30pm. Multnomah County Library Hillsdale Branch, 1525 SW Sunset Boulevard, Portland, OR 97239. More information and updates: https://multcolib.org/events-classes/handwriting-constitution

Press Release

A PDF of the complete up-to-date text of the U. S. Constitution can be found here.

New FREE letter-tracing apps

by

Learn and practice how to form lowercase letters!

From the makers of the Handwriting Success App, Letter FUNdamentals with Getty-Dubay® Italic is a fun way for young students to practice individual letters on your Apple or Android touchscreen device.

Pick a letter family, then choose a letter to practice. Provides lowercase and capital letter formation practice through four educational steps: following, tracing, tracing and drawing, then freehand drawing.

Getty-Dubay® Italic is a handwriting style that is fun to learn, easy to teach and natural to write.

The Letter FUNdamentals apps develop these skills: 

✔︎ Recognition of letter families based on similar shapes or width
✔︎ Motor memory of correct letter paths
✔︎ Knowledge of starting points, stroke sequence and stroke direction
✔︎ Fluency of letter formation

And use a progression of scaffolds:

✔︎ Following – watch the prompt trace the letter path
✔︎ Leading – move the prompt along the letter path
✔︎ Leading and drawing – move the prompt and draw along the letter path
✔︎ Free drawing – draw the letter path without a guide

Letter FUNdamentals I
Lowercase Precursive game

For ages 7 and up

iPhone & iPad  |  Android

Letter FUNdamentals II
Basic Italic Capitals game

For ages 7 and up

iPhone & iPad  |  Android

Help Desk: Edged pen writing for lefties

by

You have taken the first best step by purchasing a left-handed nib set, which has a nib angle that slopes to the left (rather than the right) as viewed from the face of the pen. Alternately, you can use a neutral edged nib, which does not slope.

At https://handwritingsuccess.com/videos-gdic/ the author Inga Dubay has a video example of how you might consider using the broad edge pen (see screenshot). Note that the paper is at 90 degrees and the writing is done with the hand moving toward you. The advantages of this method is that the wrist can maintain a relaxed position, and that you can see what you have written without smudging the wet ink you’ve just laid down.

Even though the author is using a neutral (not angled) fiber-tip pen in this case, the rational is the same: broad edged pens like to be pulled, but not pushed. 

Using an edged pen can be a challenge at first for any writer. The two important aspects are

  • maintaining contact of the nib to the paper along the entire nib edge, and
  • maintaining the appropriate pen-edge angle with respect to the baseline (usually 45 degrees for lowercase and 15 degrees for capitals).

Regarding the first item above, as you draw warm up lines with the pen, you can experiment with rocking the pen back and forth gently and minutely to get a feel for how it is contacting the paper. Then, as you write, move slowly enough so that you can feel this contact throughout the stoke. Your eye will also provide feedback as you watch the line thickness and edges. You will also want to make sure that your hand is not directly over your writing, but rather that the pen slopes away from your hand as it would if you are using a monoline tool (see image).

Having said all this, you are doing the right thing by experimenting patiently. If there is one constant for left-handed writers, it is that they all eventually find what works for them.

Help Desk: What flavor “pizza”?

by

You may be asking about the use of the lowercase letter ‘z’ in cursive italic handwriting, specifically what are appropriate joins into and out of the letter ‘z’ as in the word ‘lazy’.

As you can see from the examples on the webpage about cursive italic handwriting, the authors’ example joins out of ‘z’ but not into it. 

The ease and legibility of italic handwriting comes from the fact that the print and cursive modes use the same letterforms. So, for example, the letter ‘z’ does not change from print to cursive, unlike other styles of cursive writing (see chart below for letter ‘Z’ from our Style Comparison resource).

The authors Getty and Dubay recommend no joins into ‘f’, or ‘z’ and no joins out of ‘g’, ‘j’ and ‘y’. This is because if you do, legibility will suffer — the extra lines will likely make it hard to read and/or awkward looking. See the example of ‘pizza’ below written in looped cursive, italic and italic with joins into ‘z’. We feel that line two (with the green check mark) is the most legible.

These recommendations not to join are standard practice for many variations of italic handwriting, and come from the 500-year history of the italic style.  

However, it is your handwriting, so you are welcome to join wherever you wish — just remember to be extra careful with these joins, if you do make them. Also, these joins probably won’t make your handwriting faster. Research tells us* that students write faster when they pick up the pen sometimes instead of always connecting letters.

*Graham, S., Weintraub, N., & Berninger, V. W. (1998). The Relationship Between Handwriting Style and Speed and Legibility. The Journal of Educational Research, 91(5), 290–297. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220679809597556.

Font credit: Looped cursive example Learning Curve font; Italic examples with Getty-Dubay Joined font.

Handwriting Success Hailed as One of the Best Educational Apps for Kids

by

After a thorough review by Research.com, the Handwriting Success™ App has been included in their prestigious list of the 10 Best Educational Apps for Kids in 2024. Research.com is a leading online platform that provides users with research-backed reviews and comparisons across various products and services.

In today’s digital world, capturing children’s attention and keeping them engaged with traditional learning methods can be challenging. Handwriting Success tackles this issue head-on by transforming handwriting practice into a fun and interactive experience.

This award-winning app leverages the power of tablets and styluses to make learning captivating, all while adhering to the well-established Getty-Dubay® handwriting curriculum trusted by educators and parents worldwide. This makes the app one of the best educational apps for kids.

Beyond Worksheets: A Dynamic Learning Environment

Handwriting Success goes far beyond static worksheets that quickly become dull and repetitive. The app transforms your tablet into a dynamic learning environment, fostering a sense of play and experimentation. Imagine students using a stylus to trace letterforms, experiment with pen width and opacity, and digitally erase mistakes.

This interactive approach engages learning and allows children to practice without wasting paper. They can even explore different writing styles, from basic printing and cursive writing to elegant calligraphy, opening doors to creative expression.

A Personalized Path to Success

Handwriting Success isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. It recognizes that children learn at different paces and have individual preferences. The app caters to personalized learning through a variety of features:

  • Multiple Learning Paths: The app offers a variety of learning paths tailored to age and ability. Younger children can begin with basic letter formation, while older students can progress to mastering cursive or calligraphy. This ensures children are challenged appropriately, neither feeling overwhelmed nor bored.
  • Kinesthetic and Visual Learning: The app caters to visual and kinesthetic learners. Visual learners benefit from clear animations and demonstrations that break down complex writing strokes into manageable steps. Kinesthetic learners can actively participate by tracing letters and practicing writing strokes on the screen, solidifying their understanding through physical engagement.
  • Customizable Settings: Pen width, opacity, and background colors can be adjusted to suit individual preferences and comfort levels. This allows children to personalize their learning experience and feel a sense of ownership over their progress.

For example, a child who struggles with visual clutter might benefit from a more straightforward background color. In contrast, another child might enjoy experimenting with different pen widths to find what feels best for them.

Building a Strong Foundation in Handwriting

The Handwriting Success™ App goes beyond simply teaching letter formation. It focuses on developing a strong foundation in proper handwriting habits to benefit children throughout their academic journey. The app incorporates features like:

  • Posture Pointers: The app subtly reminds children to maintain good writing posture. This helps prevent fatigue, promotes healthy writing habits, and reduces the risk of developing musculoskeletal problems later in life.
  • Grip Guidance: The app subtly guides children on how to hold the stylus correctly, ensuring a comfortable and efficient grip. A proper grip allows for better control over the writing instrument, leading to improved legibility and reduced hand strain.
  • Real-time Feedback: Optional visual cues can be enabled to provide feedback during practice. These cues can help children identify areas for improvement and adjust their writing techniques accordingly. For instance, the app might highlight areas where pressure must be adjusted or letterforms are not entirely formed correctly.

Keeping the Spark Alive: Motivation Through Fun

Learning to write should be a fun and rewarding experience. Handwriting Success incorporates several features to keep children motivated and engaged:

  • Creative Expression: As children progress, they can use their newly acquired skills for creative expression. The app allows them to write stories, create personalized messages, or even design calligraphy artwork. This allows children to see the practical applications of their handwriting skills and fosters a sense of pride in their accomplishments.
  • Progress Tracking: Children can see their progress over time, which can be a powerful motivator. The app tracks completed lessons, mastered skills, and earned points, providing a sense of accomplishment and encouraging them to continue learning. Seeing their progress visualized can be a great confidence booster and can help children set new goals for themselves.

A Family-Friendly Resource: Learning Together

Handwriting Success isn’t just for kids. The app also includes the WRITE NOW ebook, designed for adults and professionals who want to improve handwriting. This makes it a versatile tool that can be used by the whole family.

Parents can use the app with their children, creating a fun and engaging learning experience. Imagine parents and children practicing letterforms side-by-side, offering encouragement and celebrating each other’s successes. This shared experience can foster a love of learning and create lasting memories.

More Than Just an App: A Comprehensive Learning System

The Handwriting Success app is just one component of a comprehensive handwriting learning system. The developers also offer a wealth of handwriting and calligraphy training tools, including:

  • Printable Worksheets: Printable worksheets can supplement the app and provide additional practice opportunities. These worksheets can be beneficial for reinforcing specific skills or catering to different learning styles.
  • Expert Tips and Guidance: Parents and educators can access articles and videos featuring tips and advice from handwriting experts. These resources can provide valuable insights into proper handwriting techniques, strategies for supporting children’s learning, and troubleshooting common challenges.
  • Online Resources: A Special Content web resource provides additional tools, videos and downloadable resources. This creates a supportive learning environment where parents, students and educators can assure success.

Looking Ahead: A Commitment to Continuous Improvement

We are constantly working to improve the App. In the future, you can expect to see exciting features like:

  • AI-powered Feedback: The app could integrate artificial intelligence to provide personalized feedback on writing techniques. This could involve analyzing pressure points, letter formation accuracy, and overall consistency, offering suggestions for improvement in a way that is both encouraging and specific.
  • Interactive Games and Activities: The app could incorporate interactive games and activities to make learning more engaging. These activities could focus on specific skills like letter recognition, spelling, and sentence writing while maintaining a fun and playful atmosphere.
  • Multi-language Support: Expanding the app to support multiple languages would open doors for a wider audience. This would allow children to learn proper letter formation and handwriting skills in their native language, while potentially giving them a head start on learning additional languages.

The Final Word: The Power of Handwriting in a Digital Age

We at Handwriting Success are thrilled to receive this prestigious recognition from Research.com, placing us among the top educational apps for kids in 2024. This award is a tremendous honor, and it validates the dedication of our entire team to fostering a love of learning through innovative and engaging technology.

To our valued customers, your trust in Handwriting Success truly motivates us. Your feedback and suggestions are the foundation we build, and your satisfaction is our ultimate goal. We are constantly developing exciting new features and improvements, all driven by a commitment to making Handwriting Success the most engaging and effective tool for learning to write.

The learning journey never ends, and we are honored to be a part of it alongside you. Thank you for choosing Handwriting Success, and stay tuned for even more ways to unlock the power of writing in the future!