Cursive Handwriting:
Out of Style or Important to Learn?
Are you thinking of all the things you can teach your homeschoolers and wondering if cursive should be one of them? There are many debates about this topic. I taught third grade in public school for 13 years and taught cursive every year. Personally, I saw kids who had the most trouble with printing neatly were those who had beautiful cursive handwriting. Not picking up their pencil in between each letter really helped them make their writing smooth. Also, kids with attention difficulties find writing in cursive easier because there is less starting and stopping. Here are some other benefits of learning to write in cursive. I hope these benefits help you make up your mind.
Learning cursive writing offers several cognitive, motor, and educational benefits. Here are some key advantages:
1. Improved Fine Motor Skills
Writing in cursive requires more hand-eye coordination than printing. It helps develop fine motor skills by engaging different muscles and motor pathways in the brain.
2. Enhances Cognitive Development
Cursive writing activates different areas of the brain compared to typing or printing. It involves a more complex process that includes both visual and tactile feedback, which can help with learning and memory retention.
3. Boosts Literacy Skills
Cursive writing can improve reading and writing skills. Learning cursive helps children recognize letters more effectively, which can contribute to better reading fluency and comprehension. Kids tend to have less b and d reversals when they read and write in cursive.
4. Encourages Creativity
The fluid motion of cursive writing can stimulate creativity and individual expression. The unique style and rhythm of cursive allow for personal flair, making writing feel more artistic. Everyone can have their own style!
5. Improves Memory Retention
Writing in cursive has been shown to enhance memory. The process of writing by hand, especially in cursive, engages more areas of the brain than typing, leading to better retention of information.
6. Helps with Dyslexia and Learning Disabilities
For some students with dyslexia or other learning disabilities, cursive writing can make it easier to form letters, as the continuous motion may reduce the likelihood of letter reversals and other common issues.
7. Cultural and Historical Understanding
Learning cursive connects students to historical documents and the past, as many historical texts are written in cursive. It also helps in understanding and appreciating older forms of communication.
8. Fosters Discipline and Patience
Mastering cursive writing requires practice and attention to detail, fostering a sense of discipline and patience in learners.
9. Enhances Writing Speed
Cursive writing is generally faster than printing because the letters are connected, allowing for a more efficient writing process. This can be particularly beneficial for taking notes quickly.
10. Aesthetic Value
Cursive writing often has an elegant and aesthetically pleasing appearance, which can enhance the overall presentation of written work.
These benefits suggest that cursive writing is more than just an old-fashioned skill; it has practical applications that contribute to cognitive and motor development, literacy, and personal expression.
Have fun with cursive handwriting in your homeschool! It’s an activity that can be done independently once they’ve mastered the formation of letters. It’s perfect for when you’re looking for something quiet and relaxing for your kiddos to work on!
Check out this year-long complete printable cursive curriculum. I love it because it teaches so much more than just cursive. There are beautiful, colored photos that are great visuals for new vocabulary words that are taught; it teaches proper posture and tips for writing neatly, and kids review other ELA skills while they are practicing their cursive. There are over 130 pages, independent practice pages, review pages, and a certificate of completion at the end.