Mat Man Teaches Children to Draw

Mat Man teaches children to draw and develop body awareness

according to a recent unpublished pilot study.
This study, conducted during the 2006-2007 school year in Head Start
preschool classrooms in the Green Bay, Wisconsin area, examined
thirteen children in each classroom (morning and afternoon preschool).
The children were of diverse abilities, including general and special
education students.
Over a 12-week period, students led by occupational therapist Geeta
Bhojwani participated in Mat Man activitiesa multisensory
approach to drawing developed by Handwriting Without Tears.
Mat Man activities teach body awareness and include
building Mat Man using manipulatives, singing, and
drawing.
The morning class was the experimental group receiving weekly
instruction with Mat Man activities. The afternoon class received only the
traditional classroom curriculum.
All students were tested using the Goodenough-Harris Draw-a-Person
Test (DAP) and Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor
Integration (VMI) for baseline (Sept. 12, 2006) and
post study (Dec. 12, 2006) measurement scores.
An additional DAP Test was administered to both
groups six weeks following the conclusion of the
study (Jan. 24, 2007) for retention measurements.
Following 12 weeks of instruction using Mat Man
activities, the experimental group demonstrated
overwhelmingly positive results. Children improved
their scores on the DAP Test from baseline testing
to the 12-week measurement by 299 percent (see
Table 1a). In comparison, the control group had
a modest improvement of only 80 percent (see
Table 1b) over the same period. Overall VMI scores
improved for both groups (see Figure 1). However,
they did not demonstrate the same effects
revealed by the DAP Test. In addition, the special
education students in the experimental group
outperformed their special and general education
peers in the afternoon group by an average of 21
percent in their 6-week retention scores for the
DAP Test (see Figure 2).

Table 1a. Experimental Group Averages for Goodenough-Harris Draw-a-Person Test

DAP Scores

Change

Baseline vs. Post Study

4.38/17.46

+299%

Baseline vs. Retention

4.38/16.08

+267%

Table 1b. Control Group Averages for Goodenough-Harris Draw A Person Test

DAP Scores
Figure 1.
Baseline vs. Post Study

Change

1.
BaselineFigure
vs.6 Retention

6.15/11.15

+81.3%

VMI Comparisons

VMi scores in Years and Months

VMi scores in Years and Months

+80%

VMI Comparisons

Figure 1
5

4.80
4.46

4.06
4

4.80

3.67

4.46
3

4.06
4

3.67

9/13/06

9/13/06

Figure 2.

12/12/2006

Test Dates
Average for Experimental
Average for Control

Test Dates

12/12/2006

Average for Experimental

Average for Control

Increased Features in Regular vs. Special Ed: All Students

Figure 2.

Figure 2

6.15/11.08

VMI Comparisons

Increased Features in Regular vs. Special Ed: All Students

25

Average Number of Features Drawn

Average Number of Features Drawn

Increased Features 22.50

in Regular vs. Special Ed: All Students
2025

18.83
22.50

1520

18.83
12.00

11.20

1015
7.30

12.00

12.10 7.67

5.67
510

3.60
7.30

13.40

12.10

11.00

13.40
11.20

11.00

7.67

2.33

5.67
05

3.60

9/13/06

2.33

12/12/2006

1/24/2007

Dates Tested
0

AM Regular Ed. Students

9/13/06

AM Special Ed. Students

PM Regular Ed. Students

12/12/2006

PM Special Ed. Students

1/24/2007

Dates Tested
AM Regular Ed. Students

AM Special Ed. Students

PM Regular Ed. Students

PM Special Ed. Students

This study demonstrates the effectiveness of multisensory learning strategies

Same

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learning strategies compared
to more traditional classroom
methods, especially for young
children. Drawing abilities
continue to be a key indicator
for school readiness.

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classrooms. This study also demonstrates
the value of Mat Man activities for
children of all abilities including those
enrolled in general education, special
education and inclusion model classrooms.
In addition, children engage in an activity
that is both enjoyable and that allows them
to experiment and gain confidence with
pre-writing skills.

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For more information about

Mat Man or the complete
Handwriting Without Tears
curriculum visit www.hwtears.com
or www.getsetforschool.com.

12/6/200

7 5:52:0