No matter where you look, it seems like boomers can’t stop griping about the lack of cursive writing; kids today don’t do this, they don’t do that, and most egregiously of all, they don’t loop their letters into aesthetic calligraphy. It’s a crime, we tell you! Well, actually, they tell you…a lot. And sure enough, people got sick of hearing it.
Somewhere along the way, cursive became as archaic as the rotary phone. Fewer whippersnappers cared about the craft, grouping it into just another lost relic their grandparents fondly remember. The thing is, boomers were right. Cursive is so much more than pretty penmanship; it’s a surefire way to improve motor skills, boost memory, and hone in on reading and writing skills. Consider this our love letter to the craft, and why we think it’s more important than ever.
It’s Good for the Brain
Gone are the days of sitting at your school desk and practicing that connector from B to O. Sure, it was a little annoying, but those worksheets did a heck of a lot more than keep a class of 30 kids quiet for the hour—it improved our cognitive function.
Studies show that handwriting in general is good for the brain, often boosting memory far better than clacking away on a keyboard. When kids handwrite letters (not trace), they also enhance letter recognition, and further studies show that this act improves reading acquisition. That’s all the tip of the iceberg.
In a world rife with short-form videos and the latest GTA installments, cursive can turn back the clock on attention regression; believe it or not, it actually helps kids retain focus. Handwriting works special parts of the brain that allow children to think a little deeper, forming more meaningful connections between what they’re writing and what they’re thinking.
Old School Cool
In today’s world, it’s easy to forget just how much time and effort went into research. College students couldn’t just sift through articles on their laptops; they had to go to the library, comb through documents, and bust out that clunky projector just to get a good look. And on top of it all, some papers were handwritten in cursive.
So, where does that leave today’s kids if they can’t make heads or tails of the script? We know it seems like cursive is a thing of the past, but plenty of documents still exist in calligraphy alone, which is more than enough reason to pick it up. Learning to read it early not only helps you sift through historical documents and letters, but also various types of cursive, like looped and Spencerian script!
You’d be surprised by just how many books also contain cursive. Looking to read letters by your favorite, long-dead authors? Did you pick up a nonfiction novel exploring America’s history? Well, without cursive, all those photocopied documents won’t mean much—and that takes away a huge chunk of the experience.
What About Today’s Students?
Cursive isn’t stuck that far back in the past. Today’s American school system still requires children to learn it, with at least 24 states upholding the mandate. It’s a good thing, too, since cursive writing was actually pushed out in 2010 by the Common Core State Standards. Young kids in grades three and four were expected to hone in on their typing, while cursive wasn’t mentioned at all as an important language skill.
That doesn’t mean the practice was left behind entirely. More and more states started reintroducing cursive handwriting, requiring that youngsters in grades as low as third start picking up a pencil. Others opt for fifth-grade education, but either way, it’s a step in the right direction.
Outside of focus and reading comprehension, cursive is also widely known to benefit students with dyslexia. In an interview with PBS, Marilyn Zecher, a former teacher and language specialist at ASDEC, said cursive improves fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, which can help kids work through letter reversal. She also backed preexisting studies, stating that handwriting also improves our memory; when we write something down, we remember it longer.
The Cursive Conclusion
The next time someone harps about the importance of this skill, you might want to give them the time of day. It’s not about a trip down Memory Lane, or revisiting “the good old days.” It’s also not about holding onto the past just for the sake of it. Cursive benefits everyone, especially children.
Today’s world is already packed with TikTok videos and iPad kids at dinner, so introducing this crucial life skill can help turn back the clock on our narrowing attention spans. It also opens the door to history when we get older, allowing us to sift through documents and make sense of an otherwise confusing script.
Cursive is also great for anyone on the go! It might take a little practice, but it’s a heck of a lot quicker to scribble down those fancy letters than to print them. And when all we do is complain about our tight schedules, any help goes a long way.
