The debate over whether children should learn cursive writing continues, with some educators arguing that it teaches children to read more quickly and is easier for dyslexic students, while others believe it is unnecessary in the age of computers. Parents can initiate cursive writing at home, but neat handwriting is still important for various tasks.
Who knew there was a debate raging about when kids should learn cursive writing? Cursive, incidentally, is defined as the flowing style of writing that connects letters to one another, rather than keeping them apart, as in print. For many years in the United States, starting in the 19th century and continuing through the mid-20th century, children were taught to write this way as soon as they entered school. In the 1919s, new educational theories taught that first graders didn’t really have the fine motor skills needed to handle this type of writing. With that, fat pencils and the ball-and-stick method of printing appeared in classrooms across the nation.
As computers have become increasingly popular, and with them the prevalence of email communication, there is some question as to whether a child needs to learn cursive. From some educators, the answer is an unqualified “yes” and the sooner the child starts, the better. Some educators argue that teaching connected writing before print solves far more problems than it creates. They argue that cursive writing teaches children to read more quickly, as they have to write words in a connected form, rather than as separate letters.
These educators also say dyslexic students have an easier time with cursive, since the letters have a unique shape. There is no confusion between “d” and “b” as there might be when writing on printed paper, for example. Enthusiasts also say the writing style is simpler, having just three strokes: the overcurve, the undercurve, and an up-and-down stroke. They argue that this is the reason our grandparents’ handwriting is so clear and legible: They learned it from first grade, and cursive is inherently easier to learn.
Conversely, some educators believe that children will never really need cursive writing and can make do with print and a rudimentary understanding of connected writing. They base it on the prevalence of computer use for a lot of correspondence. Many people use computers to write letters anyway, as they feel they are not writing very legibly by hand.
In essence, many of these topics are more cultural than practical. Most children will learn cursive in school. However, a parent can initiate a child to write this way any time the child expresses a desire to do so, even if the student has not yet started school. Handwriting books and practice materials are available at all educational supply stores. Children may be more willing to learn merged writing if they don’t feel pressured to do it in class, but they can do it at home in a more relaxed environment.
Even if a child doesn’t want to learn cursive, parents should insist that their child write in an orderly manner, however he writes. Children will inevitably be required to fill out forms, make worksheets and take composition tests in the higher grades, for which neat handwriting is required.
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