Do we still need to teach handwriting?
Even though adults seldom communicate by means of pens these days, it seems that there is good reason to continue teaching children how to write legibly.
Lucinda McKnight an Maria Nicholas discuss this in The Conversation. They remind us of how the world of writing is changing very quickly. From graduating from pen-and-paper to keyboards, we have speech-to-text software and future developments might see decoders that read brain activity so we don’t even have to use our hands to write at all. ‘Writing’ may be completely changed.
McKnight and Nicholas believe that there are still reasons why teaching cursive handwriting is necessary.
- Fine motor skills
Handwriting develops critical fine motor skills and the coordination needed to control precise movements. These movements are required to conduct everyday home and work-related activities. It is also these motor skills that allow handwriting to become legible and fluent as we develop and (interesting thought) who knows that technology might change course and we are taken back to the past. There is a caution that using technology and AI might allow learners to cheat on tests so handwritten answers may be required.
- It helps you remember
Handwriting has important cognitive benefits, including memory. Research suggests traditional pen-and-paper notes aid memory, due to the greater complexity of the handwriting process. In addition, reading and handwriting are closely linked. Learners become better readers through practicing writing.
- It’s good for well-being
Handwriting, and related activities such as drawing, are tactile, creative and reflective sources of pleasure and wellness for writers of all ages. Many people enjoy calligraphy and handwriting journals.
- It’s very accessible
Handwriting does not need electricity, devices, batteries, software, subscriptions, a fast internet connection, a keyboard, charging time or the many other things on which digital writing depends. It only needs pen and paper. It can be done anywhere and is particularly useful when it comes to writing a birthday card, filling in printed forms and so on.
- It’s about thinking
Most importantly, learning to write and learning to think are intimately connected. As we write, we form, develop and organise ideas. Thinking can’t be outsourced to technology.
In summary, while writing perfect cursive may become less important in the future, people of all ages will still need to be able to write legibly and fluently in their education and in their broader lives.
Image above supplied by Freepik.