Computers may change how we communicate, but did you know schools aren’t teaching handwriting after first grade? Here’s why we aren’t just making them dependent on devices, but also making them dumber adults.
Reading, handwriting, writing, arithmetic – the three things that children are supposed to learn at school.
But did you know that 75% of American students, grades 4 – 12 are writing below grade level?
Considering I have a journalism degree, loves stationery, and values handwritten notes, I have a lot of problems with the fact that the Common Core curriculum only puts emphasis on teaching handwriting in the Kindergarten and first-grade levels.
HUH? Really?
Is regrouping more important that writing your name? I guess so according to the Core.
So what are we, as parents, going to do about this little problem?
Despite how technology-driven our society becomes, writing is still a fundamental skill that everyone should possess. And that is why National Handwriting Day was created in 1977 – to remind children (and parents) of the importance of handwriting and how penmanship shaped our history.
I’m sure the idea of a whole day dedicated to handwriting probably seems antiquated when you’re probably reading this post on your phone or tablet. However research has shown that there are multiple cognitive and emotional benefits that go far beyond the classroom.
For one, handwriting makes us smarter. Writing by hand benefits cognitive development, motor skills and can lead to improved writing skills and comprehension. University of Washington Pyschologist Virginia Berninger conducted a study on school-aged children and found that handwriting, both priting and cursive, and typing on a keyboard activated different brain patterns. Studies also showed kids who wrote by hand remembered more and generated more ideas than those typing.
Seeing a pattern in all of this?
Beyond cognitive benefits, handwriting allows children, and people for that matter to express themselves. Once upon a time, before digital devices and abbreviated responses ruled the world, the written word was the only way for people to document the daily happenings (i.e. history, literature and all that stuff that we see at the museums.)
So maybe your kid won’t be the next Shakespeare, but everyone needs to leave their individual mark. Can’t do that with iPad. Just with a handwritten note.
Also, view: 20 Quotes About The Power Of Writing
But if your little kiddos are not as excited about writing as they are about their iPad time, here are a few ways to convince them as suggested by The Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association.
- Teach them about the importance written documents in history. These simple documents have changed the world, even though they weren’t written 140 characters.
- Read a book. It may not be writing, but it shows the appreciation of writing and J.K. Rowling would appreciate that.
- Practice 15 minutes of handwriting each day. Like everything, practice makes perfect. We can’t expect those few hours at school to be sufficient.
- Start a diary or journal. Keeping a diary of their innermost thoughts is actually a great way for kids to reduce stress.
- Write a story or make a card. You can finally use that 72 count of crayons, Grandma will be a happy person and you’ll have lots of fridge décor. Sounds like a win to me.
These are all simple things you could once a week, if not a few times. Heck, the 15 minutes of handwriting practice could be spent writing a story.
Now, I know…”at the rate our world is moving and how technology is evolving, handwriting may become obsolete,” much like Blackberry and Treos (remember those?)
But communication since the beginning of time didn’t include anything with an apple on it.
In the wise words of Willie (Nelson that is): “I like myself better when I’m writing regularly.”
Helpful tools to teach handwriting at home (affiliate):
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I LOVE this post. I think it’s nuts that kids aren’t being taught handwriting any more. We may not use it as much these days, but there are some things that should be taught anyway.
I am in shock about this. Seriously? That is sad. Even in our homeschool, in our senior year, we have made our kids practice handwriting and we have always stressed the importance of hand written notes. Writing letters is a lost art these days.
These are great tips!!! Luckily my 1st grader is doing tons of handwriting but I fear as she gets in the older grades that will stop and focus more on technology 🙁
I completely agree with your connection between handwriting and intelligence (and learning). Whenever I write by hand, I can feel the processes working. So why wouldn’t it work for my kids? I also feel that you were dead on with the fact that children using handwriting connects them to history and the art of documenting their own progress.
It is so sad to see handwriting becoming less of a taught method. Everything is going so digital I miss the personal touch of a handwritten note.
I think it is terrible that writing is not deemed valuable enough to continue to be taught in schools past the first grade. I agree with the many benefits of continuing to write daily.
This is very interesting to me! My daughter is in first grade and they do a lot of handwriting work. That makes me happy. Also, she’s left-handed so I’m glad she’s getting the attention she needs.
Handwriting is so important. I have my daughters from an early age take time and practice their writing skills. I think it reflects on the time you take to do something.
I totally get this article. I am from the “old school” when we had to learn to write perfectly….now a days kids have trouble writing and spelling. Everything is typing….and words aren’t even words anymore…everything is in short form.
I had no idea about this. I think handwriting should continue beyond first grade.
I can not believe that some schools are doing away with teaching actual handwriting! Thankfully that is not the case at my children’s school but nevertheless, penmanship is something I refuse to see fall by the wayside.
I think we have to adjust to the changing times, but stay balanced with practical skills. It’s a challenge to keep kids on track when there is so much technology pulling them.
I love the idea of encouraging children to start journals or diaries to encourage handwriting. You’re right that it doubles as a de-stressor, too!
That is horrible that they aren’t teaching handwriting anymore. I will continue to stress it with my younger kids for sure as I want them to always be able to write a hand-written note!
I love to grab my favorite pen and write in my journal. It is so important to tech kids hand writing. My kids keep a journal as well and practice writing in it.
I really dislike that the Common Core curriculum doesn’t emphasize teaching handwriting past the first-grade level. Terrible. Thanks for the tips! The resources you shared at the bottom including the wipe-off alphabet and tracing books would be perfect for my daughter.
I think handwriting is so important. I plan to teach my boys how to write in cursive.. This is nuts that they wouldn’t.
My sister in law and i were just discussing this very thing this week. Cursive is off the plate too. Unreal to me.
Handwriting is truly important and I make sure that my little cousins write out their names, addresses, and telephone numbers before the can play with any electronics. Daily practice is key.
I completely agree! Handwriting is a necessary skill. I really dislike schools that push for all digital
We talk about this all the time! Obviously technology is a big part of our future but that doesn’t mean that we can forget the tired and true alternative!
I had no idea about this. I think handwriting should always be a priority!
I consider handwriting than iPads, teaching our children on how to write is the most important. Technology can be useful sometimes especially on researching but handwriting is much better.
I absolutely agree. I think learning cursive allows children to read original documents and works to create better understanding of what they write. I make my kiddos write a lot, especially my daughter who has dysgraphia.
Great post!
🙂
Traci
I agree handwriting is still important. It is available even when batteries dievand the power is out.