Mon, 21 Mar, 2022

Should schools still teach cursive handwriting?

Linked table of contents

Introduction

Cursive writing has been a part of our elementary schooling. With the advent of the new millennium, cursive writing has fallen out of favour with educators globally. The personal computer and its keyboard have made the longhand redundant. Many institutions have dropped cursive writing altogether from their course structure. 

So, what changed? 

With The Advent Of Technology, The World Increasingly Favours Calculable Output. Technology Has Also Made Us Impatient. We Are Now Used To Quicker Ways Of Learning And Interacting. In Studies Undertaken To Assess The Relevance Of Cursive Writing, Academicians Favoured Computing Skills Over Writing Skills. They Argued That ‘Keyboarding’ Is More Likely To Help A Child In Academics And Practical Life Than Good Handwriting.

Is cursive writing without merits?

The short answer to this question is: No. Doctors and educators have appreciated the role of cursive writing in promoting cognitive functions, and developing motor skills. Here are some undeniable benefits of cursive writing.

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Aids development of cognitive functions 

Children who have taken to cursive writing have shown improved markers in the brain functions. Longhand stimulates their areas of cognition such as the ability to think, learn to read and write, and reason. 

Efficient motor functions

Cursive writing at a young age helps with motor functions of the brain. Children are more agile, they can coordinate hand-eye movement better, and improve their communication skills

Helps in concentrating 

Cursive writing is a habit-forming exercise. It requires children to focus on the art to develop their skill set. It helps discipline them and also helps them become attentive in class or at work.

An impressive skill 

Cursive writing is an impressive skill to have. Good handwriting is like a book cover. You can judge a person by his/her handwriting, just as you can judge a book by its cover. 

Conclusion 

Cursive writing can be used as a great tool for developing brain functions in a child. It has proven handy in helping dyslexic children learn a language. The letters on a keyboard can appear confusing to such children. But in cursive writing, the letters have a unique shape and structure, allowing kids to relate to them better. But we should avoid forcing perfection in the cursive form of writing. We should promote it as a tool of science, rather than just an art form. 

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FAQs

  1. Is longhand cursive a form of writing?

Longhand is a form of cursive writing. The penmanship in cursive style involves uninterrupted and unbroken wording.  

  1. Where can cursive writing come in handy?

Writers, teachers, and journalists favour the cursive style of writing. Such writing finds use in the justice and legal department, and with historians and museum curators. Calligraphy is a tribute to the art form of cursive writing. 

  1. Does cursive writing make children intelligent?

Cursive writing is known to make children smarter and more agile. It utilises the cognitive areas of the brain and pushes them to use their motor skills.  

  1. Does the brain distinguish between cursive writing and typing?

Our brain sees typing and writing differently. The brain is tasked with more activity while writing in cursive style than when we type out the letters on a keyboard.  

  1. Is it helpful for children with dyslexia?

Studies have shown that dyslexic children are more comfortable with the cursive style of writing than with keyboarding.

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