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Dismissing Cursive Is Like Throwing the Baby Out with the Bathwater
Computers have many advantages, but there are several that cursive handwriting has over them, and we need to pay attention to them.
In an era where technological advancements and digital communication predominate, cursive writing's value may seem to have diminished. Many contend that teaching cursive is an antiquated practice that is no longer necessary in the contemporary world. But, it would be like throwing out the baby with the bathwater to completely disregard cursive handwriting instruction. Writing in cursive has a variety of scholastic and cognitive advantages that should not be disregarded.
Particularly in the early years of a child’s schooling, cursive writing is crucial for cognitive development. Fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, which are crucial for brain development, are needed to learn how to write in cursive. Students improve their dexterity and fortify the neurological connections between their brain and muscles as they practice writing in cursive. This active participation benefits reading, math, and other academic subjects in addition to writing.
Moreover, writing in cursive encourages improved information processing and memory retention. Writing in cursive simultaneously stimulates several brain areas, leading to a deeper comprehension of the material being written. Research has revealed that students who take their notes in cursive do so more effectively than those who type on a keyboard. Better learning outcomes and critical thinking abilities are a result of this cognitive engagement.
Cursive is also beneficial in terms of motor skills and brain development. Brain imaging studies have shown that cursive is involved in a robust network that is supported by writing by hand as opposed to using a keyboard. The negative implications of abandoning cursive have been addressed by the National Institute of Health.
Research supported by the NIH has noted that “…cursive writing has been considered an essential precursor for further academic success…, and the skill is typically acquired during childhood in societies with a strong literacy tradition.” The fine finger movements of cursive carry much more import than key clicking in terms of a wealth of benefits not fully understood at…
