Want to boost brainpower and creativity?
Cursive writing might be the key! It’s not just a way to write cursive writing is important in helping students grow and succeed.
Learning cursive enhances memory, strengthens fine motor skills, and improves writing flow. It also connects students with a part of our history, making it more than just a skill—it’s a valuable tool for personal and academic growth.
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of cursive writing, why cursive writing matters and why it should be taught in schools. Let’s uncover the amazing benefits of cursive!
Table of Contents
Why Did Cursive Writing Fade from Schools?
Cursive writing, once a core part of school curriculums, began disappearing when the Common Core State Standards were introduced in 2010. These standards focused heavily on math, reading, and typing skills, pushing cursive aside. While 4th graders were expected to master keyboarding skills—typing at least one page in a single sitting—there was little mention of cursive writing.
As technology advanced, more states removed cursive from the curriculum, emphasizing digital literacy over penmanship. By 2016, only 14 states still required cursive writing. However, there has been a shift in recent years, and many states are now bringing cursive back. By 2023, 21 states had adopted some form of cursive handwriting instruction.
What Are the Key Benefits Cursive Writing?
You might wonder why schools should bring cursive writing back. Cursive writing offers benefits that go beyond just making your handwriting look nice.
Here’s why it’s important:
1. Improves Fine Motor Skills
Learning cursive requires coordination between the hand, eyes, and brain. The fluid motion needed to form cursive letters helps develop fine motor skills. This is essential for young students, as fine motor skills are closely linked to developing other important abilities such as typing and using technology.
2. Enhances Brain Development
Learning cursive writing activates brain areas involved in thinking, memory, and language processing. Unlike typing, cursive writing is more complex and requires both the left and right sides of the brain to work together. This strengthens the connections between different parts of the brain and boosts cognitive functions.
3. Fosters Faster Writing
Cursive allows students to write faster compared to print writing. This is important in academic settings, where students often need to take notes quickly. Faster writing helps keep up with classroom discussions, and it’s essential for essay exams, where speed and efficiency are key.
4. Improves Spelling and Reading Skills
Cursive writing also improves spelling. Writing in cursive helps kids break down words into smaller parts, making them easier to remember. It also has a direct impact on reading comprehension. Reading cursive handwriting helps students become more fluent readers by learning the flow of letters.
5. Develop a Strong Signature
Cursive writing is often linked to a personal signature. A strong signature can give students a sense of identity and individuality. Even though digital signatures and biometrics are becoming more common, learning cursive helps maintain a connection to this important cultural practice.
Can Technology Replace Cursive Writing?
The rise of digital technology has led some to question the relevance of cursive writing. With tools like AI-powered transcription services, it’s easier than ever to read and transcribe historical cursive documents.
Digital signatures are replacing handwritten signatures, and advanced tools like facial recognition are making it less necessary to identify individuals based on handwriting.
However, there are still strong arguments for keeping cursive in the curriculum. One important reason is the ability to read historical documents. Many crucial documents, such as the Declaration of Independence and letters from historical figures, are written in cursive. Students who don’t learn cursive may miss out on understanding these historical treasures.
How Can Cursive Writing Benefit Education in the Age of Technology?
It’s clear that technology isn’t going away, but there is a growing interest in how cursive writing can complement digital skills. With the rise of AI and the digital age, there’s an increasing concern about cheating and academic dishonesty. Some educators argue that cursive writing helps preserve academic integrity. Cursive writing is much harder to forge than print writing, and it can reduce the temptation for students to cheat.
Many teachers now use cursive writing as a tool to help students improve their thinking. Cursive writing engages the brain in different ways than typing, helping with cognitive development. Research has shown that cursive writing can even improve memory retention, making it easier for students to retain and recall information.
Are States Supporting Cursive Writing?
The trend toward reintroducing cursive writing in schools is growing. In 2016, 14 states still required cursive instruction. By 2019, that number grew to 19, and as of 2023, 21 states have reintroduced cursive writing as part of their curriculum. Some states, including California, have even passed laws requiring cursive writing instruction for students in elementary grades.
Why are so many states reintroducing cursive writing? The main argument is the cognitive and developmental benefits that learning cursive provides. Supporters of cursive writing believe it is essential for students to have strong handwriting skills, and that learning cursive is crucial for brain development.
Can Schools Effectively Implement Cursive Writing?
Cursive writing has many benefits, but teaching it in school can be hard. Teachers have less time because there are more subjects to teach, like typing. This makes it harder to find time for cursive writing.
Some schools do not have the right resources or training to teach cursive well. Still, many teachers think the benefits of cursive writing are worth the effort. Teachers can use cursive writing worksheets to help students practice. These worksheets help teachers teach cursive quickly and easily. They don’t need a lot of time or special training.
Should Cursive Be Taught with Typing?
Most educators agree that both cursive writing and typing are important skills for students. Some educators even argue that teaching both will give students a well-rounded skill set. Cursive writing may engage the brain in different ways than typing, but typing is essential for digital communication.
Studies show that cursive writing and keyboarding both have their unique advantages. While cursive improves fine motor skills and cognitive development, keyboarding is essential for navigating today’s technology-driven world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, cursive writing is making a comeback, and for good reason. From enhancing brain development to improving writing speed and readability, the benefits of cursive writing cannot be ignored. While technology plays a large role in modern education, cursive writing remains an essential part of a child’s learning journey.
As schools across the United States begin reintroducing cursive writing, it’s clear that this once-forgotten skill is more important than ever. Whether it’s for faster note-taking or preserving historical documents, cursive writing offers lasting benefits that digital tools cannot replace.
What do you think? Should schools continue to teach cursive alongside typing and other modern skills?
