# Learning Without Tears

> Learning Without Tears develops supplemental literacy curricula, classroom materials, digital tools and educator training. Founded by occupational therapist Jan Olsen in 1977, it is known for Handwriting Without Tears and extends the same explicit, hands-on approach to early learning, phonics, writing and keyboarding.

- **Founded:** 1977
- **Headquarters:** Cabin John, United States
- **Founders:** Jan Olsen (Founder; occupational therapist)
- **Products:** Handwriting Without Tears, Get Set for School, Keyboarding Without Tears, Phonics, Reading, and Me, A-Z for Mat Man and Me
- **Notable:** A July 2022 Johns Hopkins evaluation of 804 students found an adjusted overall handwriting effect size of +0.19 for the integrated print and digital program., The company reports that Handwriting Without Tears meets ESSA Tier 2 evidence criteria., Phonics, Reading, and Me was a 2024 SIIA CODiE finalist in Best Science of Reading Foundational Skills Solution.

## Products & services

- **Handwriting Without Tears** — Explicit, multisensory handwriting curriculum covering print in TK through grade 2 and cursive in grades 2 through 6, with print materials, manipulatives and digital teaching tools.
- **Get Set for School** — Preschool, Pre-K and transitional-kindergarten readiness programs combining hands-on activities, early literacy and motor development.
- **Keyboarding Without Tears** — Web-based K-5 keyboarding, computer readiness and digital-literacy instruction.
- **Phonics, Reading, and Me** — Supplemental K-3 phonics program combining print texts, teacher-led lessons, digital learning and speech-enabled reading assessment announced with SoapBox Labs.
- **A-Z for Mat Man and Me** — Alphabet knowledge and early literacy instruction through connected texts for Pre-K through grade 1.
- **Building Writers** — Structured K-5 independent practice in handwriting and genre writing.
- **Building Writers: Cornerstones** — K-3 sentence construction and grammar-in-context instruction in 10-15-minute lessons; announced March 10, 2026.
- **Get Set for School: Letters & Literacy** — 36-week Pre-K/TK program connecting phonological awareness, letter knowledge, emergent writing and motor skills; announced April 22 for June 2026 availability.
- **Professional Learning** — Onsite, virtual, blended and program-aligned educator development, including handwriting assessment and certification workshops.
- **Screener of Handwriting Proficiency** — Free whole-class assessment of handwriting skills, with reporting to guide targeted instruction.

## Achievements

- A July 2022 Johns Hopkins evaluation of 804 students found an adjusted overall handwriting effect size of +0.19 for the integrated print and digital program.
- The company reports that Handwriting Without Tears meets ESSA Tier 2 evidence criteria.
- Phonics, Reading, and Me was a 2024 SIIA CODiE finalist in Best Science of Reading Foundational Skills Solution.
- Reported serving more than four million children annually in 2026.

## Latest updates

- **2026-03** — Announced Building Writers: Cornerstones on March 10, a K-3 supplemental sentence-construction and grammar program with 10-15-minute lessons and ESSA Level IV rationale.
- **2026-04** — Announced Get Set for School: Letters & Literacy on April 22, with June 2026 availability and a 36-week Pre-K/TK instructional guide.

## Links

- Website: https://www.lwtears.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lwtears/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/hwtears
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LWTears
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lwtears/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LWTears/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/learning-without-tears
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-25