Should kids learn cursive writing in the digital age?
I used to believe that as long as writing is legible, the formation doesn't matter.
However, the truth is, inefficient formations and pencil grasps can really impair writing fluency and stamina for a lifetime!
Contrary to some beliefs, tracing is not effective handwriting instruction. Interestingly, tracing actually hinders the development of writing rhythm.
It's all about starts, direction, and flow.
Moreover, while it's true that we live in an increasingly digital world where typing may seem more crucial than handwriting, this perspective overlooks a critical point. Indeed, students will inevitably type their essays.
However, it's essential to recognize the strong relationship between handwriting and writing process proficiency.
Handwriting is more than just an old-fashioned skill; it's a foundational aspect of learning that can significantly influence a student's ability to express ideas and master the writing process.
Fewer and fewer teachers use cursive themselves
only 12 percent
of teachers
receive any training in cursive instruction
about
16 percent
of high school students
said that they used cursive
when given a choice
Many historical documents
are written in cursive,
including family letters and records
Cursive has cognitive advantages
over keyboarding
Cursive is easier
for people with dyslexia
Kids still need to learn cursive, and this is why
“Students should learn to write by hand in the early grades.
Even though keyboarding is increasing. Learning to form letters by hand helps with reading and spelling development, along with writing development. Students should not skip handwriting and jump to keyboarding. Additionally, there is strong evidence that taking notes by hand is better than taking notes on a laptop.
Students need to develop handwriting fluency.
If forming letters and words is slow and effortful, students will be less able to express their ideas and writing will suffer overall. Low writing fluency acts as a bottleneck on the writing system, leading to poorer texts, frustration for student writers, and negative attitudes about writing.”
Avatar,
Scott Beers
associate professor and chair of the master of education
in literacy program in SPU’s School of Education.
“Printing, cursive writing and using a keyboard each use related but different brain functions — underscoring that writing is a complex undertaking that draws on many neurological processes.
Handwriting requires the production of a letter form, stroke by stroke.
The act of producing something supports perception.
So we need to output in order to improve our ability to process what we input from the environment.
Virginia Berninger
UW educational psychology professor
https://education.uw.edu/about/directory/virginia-berninger
Why study cursive?
1. Your child may become a better speller.
Studies show that young students who write in cursive often spell better. This might happen because children who write this way quickly learn how letters join to make words. This fast learning helps them with language, which is very important for spelling well.
2. Your child will likely be able to form words more easily.
Writing in cursive helps kids see every letter as part of a whole word. This makes it simpler for them to remember the word they are writing. Experts also say that kids don't often write letters the wrong way around in cursive. If a child tries to write a letter backwards in cursive, they can't connect it to the next letter properly.
3. Your child could become a better writer overall.
Children who write in cursive not only make words easier, but they also make better sentences. Studies show that children who learn and write in cursive get better at using syntax. This means they understand better how to arrange and put together words to make good phrases and complicated sentences.
Аватарка
Marie-France Morin
Université de Sherbrooke
Аватарка
Lavoie Natalie
Université du Québec à Rimouski UQAR
The Effects of Cursive on Writing Development
Icon PDF link (local hosted)
Latest Research on Cursive Handwriting
Logos
Once all but left for dead, is cursive handwriting making a comeback?
https://education.uw.edu/news/press/once-all-left-dead-cursive-handwriting-making-comeback
The Lost Art of Cursive Writing and How It Affects Your Brain
THE RESURGENCE OF CURSIVE WRITING: WHY IT’S BACK IN THE CLASSROOM
https://extension.ucr.edu/features/cursivewriting
The Effect of Systematic Cursive Instruction on the Length of
Writing Samples
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1841&context=masters_theses
Cursive and memory
https://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=57775
Hand-writing letters shown to be best technique for learning to read
https://hub.jhu.edu/2021/07/07/handwriting-more-effectively-teaches-reading-skills-brenda-rapp/
Problems of Gifted and Talented Students Regarding Cursive Handwriting: Parent Opinions
https://www.academia.edu/56983870/Problems_of_Gifted_and_Talented_Students_Regarding_Cursive_Handwriting_Parent_Opinions
The role of cursive writing on the curricular landscape of public schools today
https://soar.suny.edu/bitstream/handle/20.500.12648/250/Bova_Robert_Masters_Spring2015.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
Researchers say Cursive Writing Requirement Goes Beyond Fine Penmanship
https://education.uw.edu/news/press/researchers-say-cursive-writing-requirement-goes-beyond-fine-penmanship
Simplified cursive handwriting course for kids
What you'll learn
Learn to write cursive letters by repeated practice of a few different strokes.
Utilize a simplified method to write a modernized version of cursive letters.
Form all uppercase and lowercase letters of the English alphabet in cursive.
Develop your own unique signature to use when signing documents.
Name
Avatar
Cursive is a lovely art.
The changes will begin very soon. Stay tuned.