ABOUT
Maribeth Baress received her Masters of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Scranton in 2014. She is a Handwriting Without Tears® Level 1 Certified Handwriting Specialist. Maribeth founded Ability Builders LLC because as a mom she knows that clear legible handwriting is not only a practical skill, but also an integral skill for academic success. Her goal is to provide tutoring services to maintain and teach the necessary skill of handwriting in a technological world.
Maribeth is passionate about helping students of all ages and abilities achieve confidence and proficiency in handwriting. Her commitment extends beyond teaching handwriting; but aims to instill confidence and foster a love for learning in every student she works with.
Approach
Each tutoring session is tailored to the individual student’s strengths and challenges. Instruction incorporates the nationally recognized handwriting without Tears program which was developed by Occupational therapists to make learning handwriting easy and enjoyable. It focuses on a multi-sensory approach that incorporates visual, auditory, and kinesthetic elements to cater to diverse learning styles. This method is particularly effective in developing and improving handwriting legibility, speed, and overall writing skills.
Whether your child needs help with letter recognition, letter formation, spacing, or overall handwriting fluency , we provide structured guidance and support in a nurturing environment. Our goal is to empower students to excel in their handwriting skills and succeed academically.
Why Is Handwriting Important?
Handwriting is a fundamental skill that can help students develop reading and writing skills, and can impact their academic success. When children are provided direct explicit instruction the act of handwriting becomes a natural and autonomic skill. This allows children to focus on spelling, grammer, and the content of their writing so that they are able to succeed academically.
Research suggests that handwriting can:
Improve memory and information processing
Engage multiple senses
Help students retain the alphabet and words
Support phonics
Integrate reading skills
Enhance neural activity
Improve comprehension