ONLINE COURSE:
Creative Evidence-Based Prewriting Strategies
An evidence-based, body-up framework that integrates movement, sensory skills, motivation, and collaboration to nurture children’s volition, confidence, and meaningful written expression.
This course is available with AOTA CEUs
or as a non-CEU option.
Course Level: Intermediate
There are no prerequisites for this course.
AOTA Area: Foundational Knowledge
No. of CEUs: 0.17 CEUs
Most children do not write at their true cognitive potential.
They often cannot express the depth of their knowledge, thoughts, and feelings through writing.
Children have expansive ideas, rich imaginations, and valuable insights to share..
Yet, the act of writing can feel overwhelming, frustrating, or inaccessible.
Traditional “pre-writing” has focused on mapping or outlining on paper or screen.
For many students, even this stage is difficult and disorganized.
Pre-writing is often skipped, rushed, or used ineffectively.
As a result, students struggle to plan, organize, and communicate ideas clearly.
Research is conclusive.
Structured, evidence-based pre-writing strategies lead to longer, higher-quality writing and greater confidence.
With body-up, stage-based, evidence-supported strategies that integrate movement, sensory-motor engagement, collaboration, discussion, music, rhythm, fun, and technology tools for visual and auditory expression:
Children can learn to gather, organize, and express their ideas with confidence,
making writing meaningful, achievable, and enjoyable.
Course Description
Why Prewriting Is Important!
The research is conclusive. Carefully planned, structured, and enjoyable prewriting strategies significantly improve children’s writing skills and confidence in writing. A body up and social collaboration approach that integrates movement, sensory activities, interaction with others, discussion, and purposeful use of technology provides multiple ways for children to explore what they know, organize their thoughts, and express their ideas.
Through these varied and engaging methods, children begin to recognize that their ideas are valuable and gain the confidence to communicate them through writing. These evidence-based strategies help therapists and educators guide children through the stages of planning for each writing activity supporting not only the development of writing skills but also the willingness, motivation, and joy to write.
A Body-Up Approach: A Full-Body Approach to Writing
Writing is much more than sitting at a desk and using small movements while holding a pencil, writing on a page, or typing on a keyboard. This course introduces a six-stage, body-up approach that emphasizes large body movement, alternate seating, and varied positioning and postures during the idea-generation phase.
By beginning with children’s natural need and desire for movement, this approach is an effective prewriting process and helps develop the physical, sensory, and emotional basis for written expression. The developmental and motivational benefits of this full-body approach are explored in detail throughout the course.
What’s Included in the Course
Creative Evidence-Based Prewriting Strategies
Unlimited access to 3 self-paced
pre-recorded videos
Total: 2 hours, 2 minutes
10 downloadable activity
instruction worksheets,
46 printable posters &
12 sets of printable cards
1 Course Workbook
A workbook that can be printed out as a visually engaging guide for children to use in each stage of the prewriting process as discussed in this course.
Certificate of Completion & AOTA CEUs from an AOTA Approved Provider
0.17 CEUs
(applicable for CEU course only)
Pricing
COURSE WITHOUT CEUs
$67
For teachers, parents, therapists, and anyone who wants practical, evidence-based tools to help children succeed in writing.
Full access to the course
Practical stage-based workbook for children and adults
Immediate, lifetime access to course materials
Certificate of Completion (non-CEU)
COURSE WITH CEUs
$127
For occupational therapists who require AOTA CEU credits.
Full access to the course
Practical stage-based workbook for children and adults
Immediate, lifetime access to course materials
Certificate of Completion
0.17 CEUs
This course is for...
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Parents
Educators (general education, special education, early childhood, and homeschooling)
Other professionals supporting children’s writing development
Key Features
Evidence-based strategies grounded in child development and occupational therapy practice.
Stage-based model of writing development with six clear steps.
Practical workbook for both professionals and children, with structured activities for every stage.
Focus on motivation, emotions, volition, and neurological development as key drivers of writing success.
Hands-on strategies integrating movement, collaboration, and discussion.
Applicable in school, clinic, home, and group learning settings.
Approved for AOTA CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
The Six Stages of Creative
Pre-writing Strategies
Course Learning Objectives
1. List the six stages of writing development as discussed and explain how a body-up approach and sensory motor functioning are essential concepts in this specific approach for prewriting skills.
2. Demonstrate two movement-based or “body-up” strategies that enhance engagement, sensory motor functioning, and motivation during prewriting activities.
3. Apply stage-based strategies from the course workbook to a case scenario to develop a plan supporting writing readiness and confidence for one child.
4. Design and document three prewriting activities that incorporate movement and motivational strategies to improve a child’s engagement in writing tasks.
Instructor
Bridgette Nicholson
Occupational Therapist / Assistive Technology Consultant / Certified Autism Spectrum Clinical Specialist (ASCS)
ADHD-Certified Educator (ADHD-CE)
Occupational Therapist & Assistive Technology Consultant with 38 years of experience
Founder of New Leader Academy Therapeutic Day School
International Presenter and Consultant
Financial Disclosure:
Bridgette Nicholson is the owner of BridgetteNicholson.com and will receive financial compensation for presenting this course. She has no other relevant financial relationships with any product, instrument, device, service, or material discussed in this course.
Non-Financial Disclosure:
Bridgette Nicholson has no relevant non-financial relationships to disclose
ADA:
Please contact us at [email protected] for special needs requests
Website: bridgettenicholson.com
Screenshots from the course
Instructor
Bridgette Nicholson
Occupational Therapist
Assistive Technology Consultant
Certified Autism Spectrum Clinical Specialist (ASCS)
ADHD-Certified Educator (ADHD-CE)
Occupational Therapist and Assistive Technology Consultant with 38 years of experience
Founder of New Leader Academy Therapeutic Day School
International Presenter and Consultant
Email: [email protected]
Website: bridgettenicholson.com
Bridgette Nicholson is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. PD activity approval ID# 0000014535. This Distance Learning – Independent activity is offered at __CEUs (Intermediate level, Foundational Knowledge category). The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.
Financial Disclosure:
Bridgette Nicholson is the owner of BridgetteNicholson.com and will receive financial compensation for presenting this course. She has no other relevant financial relationships with any product, instrument, device, service, or material discussed in this course.
Non-Financial Disclosure:
Bridgette Nicholson has no relevant non-financial relationships to disclose
ADA:
Please contact us at [email protected] for special needs requests
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will I have access to the course?
Your access is indefinite—it never expires. You can log in anytime at BridgetteNicholson.com to revisit lessons, videos, and PDFs.
What’s included with my enrollment?
Online modules with videos, written summaries, and slideshows
Downloadable information and activity instructions
Practical stage-based workbook you can use with students provided as part of the course
Printable posters for your classroom
Printable encouragement cards
Do I earn CEUs/Continuing Education credits with this course?
Yes, you have the option of getting CEUs by selecting the course that offers CEUs. Then on completion, you will receive a certificate that includes the CEU details for professional reporting.
How many CEUs is this course worth?
AOTA defines 1.0 CEU as 10 hours of instruction. This course provides 0.17 CEUs, which will appear on your certificate of completion.
How do I earn CEU credit for this course?
To receive CEU credit, you must:
Complete all online modules.
Pass the post-course knowledge check (typically 80% or higher).
After meeting these requirements, your certificate will be sent to your email.
What is your cancellation / refund policy for the course?
We want you to be satisfied with your purchase. If you are not happy with the course for any reason, you may request a full refund within seven (7) days of purchase, provided less than 25% of the course has been completed. We reserve the right to cancel access in the event of technical or compliance issues; in such cases, a full refund will be issued.
To request a refund, email [email protected] with your reason for requesting the refund and your purchase details. Once your refund is processed, your course access will be revoked. If you have any questions, please contact us by email or through our website. Review our Terms and Conditions here.
