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Why Teach Cursive Handwriting?

August 15, 2019 by Sarah 124 Comments

I am excited to partner with Oak Meadow today to bring you this post on the benefits of cursive writing and a great giveaway!

Sometimes, as a Mama, I do things just because I have always done them. Do you know what I mean?  For example, my little ones have always had an early bedtime. I know in the back of my mind there are tons of benefits for this, but I haven’t really taken the time to research them. I just put my little ones to bed early.

Another thing I do is teach my little ones cursive writing. This is one of those things that I know has tons of benefits, but I have never taken the time to research them. I have just taught them cursive writing … until now. 

The incredible benefits of teaching children Cursive Writing! This is a very informative post about the important role cursive plays in teaching children to READ! #HowWeeLearn #Sponsored #cursivewriting #writingactivities #teacherresources #kidsactivities

That’s right friends. You are about to get the fabulous recap notes from many nights of research. Many long nights and cups of coffee later I have realized that the ins and outs, benefits and history of cursive writing is quite the worm hole. As it turns out, the benefits of cursive writing and why it should be taught to children are plentiful. The reasons many children are no longer taught cursive writing though, are not. The biggest reason I could find for why it is no longer being taught is simply it is not felt to be needed or relevant any longer.

BUT when you look at all of the benefits of cursive writing you will see a much different picture. There are incredible benefits to children! So much so that I would say it is indeed still needed. Here are 8 benefits of cursive writing that will help us to see why teaching cursive writing is still important:

1. Cursive flowing letters are easier for young children to form as fine motor skills develop. Writing in print with all of the starts, stops, and hard lines tends to be difficult for young children. Writing in a smooth, flowing, curving, connecting pattern is much easier for little hands still developing fine motor control.

The incredible benefits of teaching children Cursive Writing! This is a very informative post about the important role cursive plays in teaching children to READ! #HowWeeLearn #Sponsored #cursivewriting #writingactivities #teacherresources #kidsactivities

2. Reduces letter reversals. Young children very commonly struggle with letter reversals when printing. Letters b and d are examples of two print letters that look very, very similar. Children start by drawing a line and removing their pencil, then they need to try to remember (or guess) which side the circle goes on. In cursive writing though, young children do not remove their pencil. Letters flow from one side of the page to the next in smooth and fluid movements. The letter ‘b’ is made with the stick first, and the letter ‘d’ begins with the circle. Letter reversals vanish!

3. Cursive writing is artistic. Most children love to draw and begin to do so quite naturally. Cursive writing is very artistic and quite like drawing in many ways. Cursive writing flows from this natural drawing ability.

4. Cursive letters are distinct. Because cursive writing flows from the beginning of the word through to the end, cursive letters tend to be more distinct. And since those letters all flow into one another it strengthens muscles memory on how words are spelled. This actually has been shown to help children learn to read easier and faster.

5, Crossing the midline. Do you remember a post I wrote some time ago about the importance of crossing midline? If not you can read it right here.  Cursive writing is a fabulous activity for crossing the midline.

6. Increased writing speed and lowered hand fatigue. Due to the flowing nature of cursive writing children who write cursive do so quicker and with less stress on little hand muscles too. There is no starting and stopping, removing the pencil and placing it down again to shape each individual letter as there is with printing. 

7. Increased retention of information. This benefit of cursive writing is actually a benefit of printing as well but needs to be mentioned due to the current shift towards typing reports, papers, and basically everything. It has been shown that writing things down by hand helps us to remember that information much better. This is a huge benefit to children learning information!

8. Signature. Finally, there will come a day when our little ones need to sign their names. Be it at the bank or on a driver’s license, that day will come. Voila! I have found at least ONE completely practical, daily reason why children should still learn cursive writing!

The incredible benefits of teaching children Cursive Writing! This is a very informative post about the important role cursive plays in teaching children to READ! #HowWeeLearn #Sponsored #cursivewriting #writingactivities #teacherresources #kidsactivities

Isn’t this list surprising? There are SO many fabulous reasons to teach our children cursive writing.

Today I had the pleasure of partnering with Oak Meadow. A company I adore and a curriculum I use with my own little ones. Oak Meadow also understands the value of teaching cursive writing and has it as a staple in their curriculum along with other important, wonderful skills beyond simply reading, writing, and math. All those things that we can just teach knowing it benefits our little ones without needing to do all the research behind it, as Oak Meadow has already done it. Which is a fabulous thing, as finding out the ‘why’ behind things can be a worm hole my friends. A very, very long worm hole filled with many late nights and cups of coffee. 

Now it is GIVEAWAY TIME!  Oak Meadow is generously offering some of their Cursive Writing workbooks to my American and Canadian readers!

To be entered to win one of these 5 workbooks, please comment below and simply tell me whether you are a Canadian or an American. Good Luck!

Please note, the contest is now closed. Congratulations to our winners!

 

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

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Comments

  1. Brandi Blades says

    August 16, 2019 at 12:24 pm

    American

    Reply
    • Amy Davis says

      August 16, 2019 at 4:49 pm

      I am American too

      Reply
    • Marsha says

      August 16, 2019 at 8:30 pm

      American

      Reply
    • H Rich says

      August 17, 2019 at 3:02 am

      Yay! American
      I’m a firm believer in the list art of cursive! Thank you

      Reply
    • Ethel Hatch says

      August 17, 2019 at 4:45 pm

      I am glad to see that people are stressing the importance of cursive writing. American

      Reply
    • Shelly says

      August 17, 2019 at 9:41 pm

      I am American

      Reply
  2. Amanda says

    August 16, 2019 at 12:24 pm

    American

    Reply
  3. MJ Palser says

    August 16, 2019 at 12:26 pm

    What a great giveaway.
    Cursive is a lost art these days. I can’t wait to have my small human get better at writing.

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      August 16, 2019 at 2:28 pm

      Small human – adorable! Thank you for entering; good luck!

      Reply
      • Linda Hawksley says

        August 16, 2019 at 7:31 pm

        Cursive is great! American.

        Reply
  4. Tameca Everett says

    August 16, 2019 at 12:31 pm

    I love the wee learn page it has brought alot of learning and fun to my 1 and 2 year olds. Keep doing an excellent job love you guys.??❤

    Reply
  5. Nancy says

    August 16, 2019 at 12:32 pm

    I am an American.

    Reply
    • nicole says

      August 16, 2019 at 12:40 pm

      I am an American.

      Reply
    • Anisha Baboota says

      August 16, 2019 at 1:43 pm

      I am a Canadian

      Reply
  6. Cathy says

    August 16, 2019 at 12:32 pm

    American, thanks for the research!

    Reply
  7. Tameca Everett says

    August 16, 2019 at 12:32 pm

    Love the wee learn family you guys are the best???❤

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      August 16, 2019 at 2:28 pm

      Aww thank you! Thank you for entering – good luck!

      Reply
  8. Elmarie says

    August 16, 2019 at 12:34 pm

    I live in South Africa but need to win this

    Reply
  9. Leslie says

    August 16, 2019 at 12:35 pm

    I am an American

    Reply
  10. Lara says

    August 16, 2019 at 12:41 pm

    Hi! My name is Lara and I’m a Preschool teacher of 3’s in America! I am a BIG supporter of handwriting for the benefits of reading skill development! I hope I am a winner!

    Reply
  11. Lacy Sanchez says

    August 16, 2019 at 12:52 pm

    Awesome giveaway!
    I am an American .

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      August 16, 2019 at 2:27 pm

      Thank you Lacy! Good luck!

      Reply
  12. Mary says

    August 16, 2019 at 12:54 pm

    I am American

    Reply
  13. Aimee Didyoung says

    August 16, 2019 at 12:54 pm

    I’m American.

    Reply
  14. Kathleen Ramirez says

    August 16, 2019 at 12:58 pm

    I am American

    Reply
  15. Brandyne Brikelle White says

    August 16, 2019 at 1:03 pm

    I’m an American!

    Reply
  16. Eva Griffin says

    August 16, 2019 at 1:03 pm

    I am American. Thank you!!

    Reply
  17. Anna says

    August 16, 2019 at 1:06 pm

    I am american

    Reply
    • Mei says

      August 17, 2019 at 4:06 pm

      I live in UAE, you change my view about cursive handwriting, I though it’s something difficult for young kids to learn, I will start teaching my 3 years old son about this, thank you.

      Reply
  18. Kristin says

    August 16, 2019 at 1:07 pm

    American!

    Reply
  19. Nicole Dehner says

    August 16, 2019 at 1:14 pm

    I am an American.

    Reply
  20. Myndi Hallberg says

    August 16, 2019 at 1:15 pm

    American ?

    Reply
  21. Kayli says

    August 16, 2019 at 1:24 pm

    I’m American

    Reply
  22. Michelle says

    August 16, 2019 at 1:25 pm

    I am American

    Reply
  23. michele says

    August 16, 2019 at 1:26 pm

    I am American and totally agree with you!

    Reply
  24. Ruthann says

    August 16, 2019 at 1:34 pm

    Oh my goodness, YES.
    I am American

    Reply
  25. Jennifer says

    August 16, 2019 at 1:37 pm

    I am American

    Reply
  26. Ruth Wiseman says

    August 16, 2019 at 1:39 pm

    I am an American.

    Reply
  27. Dani Morrison says

    August 16, 2019 at 1:42 pm

    Canadian mama here!

    Reply
  28. Brigitte says

    August 16, 2019 at 1:42 pm

    I’m Canadian 🙂

    Reply
  29. Naomi Jones says

    August 16, 2019 at 1:44 pm

    I am an American

    Reply
  30. Pam Clouse says

    August 16, 2019 at 1:47 pm

    American

    Reply
  31. Lindsey says

    August 16, 2019 at 1:53 pm

    American!

    Reply
  32. E says

    August 16, 2019 at 2:07 pm

    I am an American!

    Reply
  33. Elke says

    August 16, 2019 at 2:12 pm

    Thanks for the information on cursive hand-writing!
    I am American.

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      August 16, 2019 at 2:26 pm

      My pleasure Elke – thank you for entering the giveaway!

      Reply
  34. Kerry says

    August 16, 2019 at 2:13 pm

    I am a Canadian.

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      August 19, 2019 at 8:38 pm

      Congratulations! You have won one of the cursive writing workbooks! Please check your email.

      Reply
  35. Heather Bush says

    August 16, 2019 at 2:18 pm

    Hello, I am American

    Reply
  36. Laura Ganja says

    August 16, 2019 at 2:20 pm

    Hi, I’m a Canadian Grandma,aka, Gigi.I am a full time caregiver to my 3 year old granddaughter and loving every minute. Love your site, keep up the work as we need teachers like you. Yes it is a crime that they are not teaching cursive writing anymore.

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      August 16, 2019 at 2:25 pm

      Thank you Laura!!

      Reply
  37. Jen says

    August 16, 2019 at 2:23 pm

    I am an American

    Reply
  38. Alyssa says

    August 16, 2019 at 2:23 pm

    I am Canadian!

    Reply
  39. Marissa Jeffery says

    August 16, 2019 at 2:34 pm

    Canadian, and I have found the distinct lack of teaching cursive to be profoundly sad. I love writing cursive and will definitely be teaching my tiny human how to do it. Thanks for the cliffs notes

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      August 16, 2019 at 9:38 pm

      My pleasure. I am so happy for you and your tiny human (adorable)

      Reply
  40. Valerie H says

    August 16, 2019 at 2:41 pm

    American!
    One more great reason I’ve found to learn cursive is to be able to READ it. I do a lot of family history work finding my family’s ancestry, and so much of it is in cursive! I love looking over old records and reading history in it’s original script.

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      August 17, 2019 at 8:49 pm

      Oh YES! A fabulous reason!! I am always surprised looking back on historical letters how almost all of it is in cursive writing. It is definitely a needed skill to keep our history alive.

      Reply
  41. Alissa H says

    August 16, 2019 at 2:48 pm

    American

    Reply
  42. Melissa says

    August 16, 2019 at 2:49 pm

    American

    Reply
  43. Erica says

    August 16, 2019 at 3:12 pm

    I’m American. We just started kindergarten homeschool with my oldest and are continuing preschool homeschool with my middle. Since I started homeschooling, I knew cursive would be something I taught to my munchkins. All of these benefits just confirm it. Thank you!

    Reply
  44. Mary Jean says

    August 16, 2019 at 3:16 pm

    Love the great reasons why we should still teach cursive!

    American

    Reply
  45. T says

    August 16, 2019 at 3:33 pm

    I’m American – and a big fan of cursive, which was always so much easier than printing for me when I was little!

    Reply
  46. Frannie Hasan says

    August 16, 2019 at 3:35 pm

    I’m American!

    Reply
  47. Uzma says

    August 16, 2019 at 3:40 pm

    None. I live in Saudi arabia and am always on the lookout for great resources for our little champs who i believe can change the world by being taught and directed in the right direction .

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      August 16, 2019 at 9:37 pm

      This is lovely Uzma!

      Reply
  48. Amie John says

    August 16, 2019 at 3:58 pm

    American, thank you the research. Seems crazy children no longer learn cursive.

    Reply
  49. Shanon says

    August 16, 2019 at 4:00 pm

    I am an American. I am a firm believer in teaching our children cursive. I appreciate the research you did. I did not fully understand all of the benefits of cursive writing!

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      August 16, 2019 at 9:36 pm

      Thank you Shanon – neither did I. The research was very eye opening. Thank you for entering – good luck!

      Reply
  50. Madelyn says

    August 16, 2019 at 4:05 pm

    I am American ??

    Reply
  51. Dana says

    August 16, 2019 at 4:17 pm

    As a retired American Teacher/Librarian, I have long been an advocate of teaching cursive writing after kids have mastered print. We used to teach D’Nealian in second grade as a step into cursive which was taught in third. Kids wrote more legibly all around and were able to read any type of print as they aged. My local school district has recently voted to bring back teaching cursive, and I am thrilled about that!

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      August 16, 2019 at 9:36 pm

      That is wonderful Dana! Thank you for sharing this news with us!

      Reply
  52. Pauline Hampson says

    August 16, 2019 at 4:44 pm

    Cursive writing is very important skill for children to learn. There’s nothing nicer than receiving a letter that has been hand written.

    I am a Canadian granny.

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      August 16, 2019 at 9:35 pm

      Oh do I ever agree with this!!! Thank you for entering you lovely Canadian Granny. Good luck!

      Reply
  53. Kathryn says

    August 16, 2019 at 4:47 pm

    I am Canadian

    Reply
  54. Rebecca says

    August 16, 2019 at 5:08 pm

    Great post! I’m Canadian.

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      August 16, 2019 at 9:34 pm

      Thank you Rebecca! Good luck!

      Reply
  55. Kay Gunderson says

    August 16, 2019 at 5:17 pm

    American

    Reply
  56. Rebekah says

    August 16, 2019 at 5:21 pm

    American

    Reply
  57. Jana Frederick says

    August 16, 2019 at 5:28 pm

    American ??

    Reply
  58. Samantha Shah says

    August 16, 2019 at 5:34 pm

    My daughter was just telling me yesterday, “in the olden days, people wrote ‘connected’ but not anymore” – heard from her teacher! I didn’t realize they don’t teach cursive anymore!

    We are American.

    Reply
  59. Hilary Oliver says

    August 16, 2019 at 5:36 pm

    I’m an American! Fingers crossed!

    Reply
  60. Felicia Ruiz says

    August 16, 2019 at 5:45 pm

    American

    Reply
  61. Abby says

    August 16, 2019 at 5:56 pm

    I’m American 🙂

    Reply
  62. cindy Whittemore says

    August 16, 2019 at 6:32 pm

    I Am an American!

    Reply
  63. Cheryl Dannheim says

    August 16, 2019 at 6:55 pm

    I am American.

    Reply
  64. Angela says

    August 16, 2019 at 7:06 pm

    I am dutch 🙂

    Reply
  65. Ashley says

    August 16, 2019 at 7:11 pm

    American

    Reply
  66. Shelby Pinnegar says

    August 16, 2019 at 7:55 pm

    It is probably a silly question but what age do you start cursive?

    American

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      August 16, 2019 at 9:33 pm

      Not silly at all! With the Oak Meadow curriculum form drawing begins in Kindergarten and continues through first grade. Official cursive writing begins in Grade 2. Thank you for entering Shelby! Good luck!

      Reply
  67. Nicole says

    August 16, 2019 at 8:02 pm

    American

    Reply
  68. Sarah Price-Balfour says

    August 16, 2019 at 8:37 pm

    Canadian

    Reply
  69. Ashley says

    August 16, 2019 at 8:50 pm

    Hello I am American.

    Reply
  70. Amy Pope says

    August 16, 2019 at 9:19 pm

    American

    Reply
  71. Judith Martinez says

    August 16, 2019 at 9:41 pm

    I’m an American. 🙂

    Reply
  72. Shelly says

    August 16, 2019 at 9:49 pm

    Great post! I’ve been researching different curricula and would love to try Oak Meadow. We live in America.

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      August 17, 2019 at 8:48 pm

      I am a big fan of Oak Meadow. If you have any questions I am happy to try to answer them for you! Thank you for entering – good luck!

      Reply
  73. Chrissie says

    August 16, 2019 at 9:53 pm

    American 🙂

    Reply
  74. Ashley B. says

    August 16, 2019 at 10:00 pm

    Interesting research! Thanks for sharing ? I’m an American

    Reply
  75. Jen says

    August 16, 2019 at 10:19 pm

    American ?

    Reply
  76. Cassie Stephens says

    August 16, 2019 at 10:25 pm

    American

    Reply
  77. Kourtnay Kemsley says

    August 16, 2019 at 11:54 pm

    I am Canadian!

    Reply
  78. Nicole says

    August 17, 2019 at 2:45 am

    Hi, my name is Nicole and I’m a mother of five beautiful children: I’m new to “howweelearn” and so far I love it, and your sponsor Oak meadows, which gives me hope for homeschooling Multiple children in different grades . If I could afford the packages for all My children’s grades we would have considered homeschool, Oh and I’m American!!!!!

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      August 17, 2019 at 8:47 pm

      Oh welcome Nicole! Thank you for your kind comment and for entering the giveaway. Good luck!

      Reply
    • Sarah says

      August 19, 2019 at 8:35 pm

      CONGRATULATIONS! You have won one of the cursive writing workbooks. Please check your email!

      Reply
  79. Lisa Richards says

    August 17, 2019 at 3:48 am

    Really interested in this for my SpecEd students

    Reply
  80. Jennifer Blaine says

    August 17, 2019 at 5:19 am

    I need to use these workbooks, haha! I have a style of writing that’s a combo of cursive and printing but I wish I kept the cursive going. When I see a note or something written in cursive it just looks amazingly beautiful. And the research makes sense! Thanks for doing that! I am Canadian and I love your blog and Oak Meadow!

    Reply
  81. Rebecca says

    August 17, 2019 at 7:35 am

    i am an American

    Reply
  82. Sara says

    August 17, 2019 at 7:35 am

    I am Canadian.
    When is a good age to start doing activities like cursive writing?
    Thank you for the information that you shared in this post.

    Reply
  83. Ashley Mundt says

    August 17, 2019 at 7:46 am

    American

    Reply
  84. Julia M. says

    August 17, 2019 at 8:21 am

    I’m an American.

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      August 19, 2019 at 8:34 pm

      CONGRATULATIONS! You have won one of the workbooks. Please check your email.

      Reply
  85. Sarah says

    August 17, 2019 at 10:21 am

    American

    Reply
  86. Danielle Snipe says

    August 17, 2019 at 11:33 am

    I am African American.

    Reply
  87. Danielle says

    August 17, 2019 at 2:01 pm

    I am American and just taught my daughter to write her name in cursive this summer! Now I have a list of reasons for why it is important to learn cursive writing. Thank you!

    Reply
  88. Susie Greene says

    August 17, 2019 at 9:51 pm

    American

    Reply
  89. Sonya Kotla says

    August 18, 2019 at 9:05 am

    I was excited to see the item on cursive writting. Schools don’t teach this anymore and it’s a same

    Reply
  90. Lindsay says

    August 18, 2019 at 10:49 am

    American.
    My 2 older girls have always asked why they didn’t learn cursive in school like I did. They always wanted to learn and I taught them as best as I could but, these workbooks would be amazing to help me teach my 3rd, youngest daughter!

    Reply
  91. Brandi Ottersbach says

    August 18, 2019 at 2:48 pm

    American

    Reply
  92. Monica Donley says

    August 19, 2019 at 8:27 am

    American

    Reply
  93. Loreen Hansen says

    August 19, 2019 at 12:37 pm

    American, and I have fought tooth and nail to keep handwriting as part of the curriculum to no avail. I still teach it in my classroom.

    Reply
  94. Alex Lara says

    August 19, 2019 at 3:11 pm

    Canadian

    Reply
  95. Jennifer says

    August 19, 2019 at 3:23 pm

    I’m American. I’m glad to see someone present good practical reasons cursive is good for the hands. I learned print and cursive, but calligraphy changed my handwriting even more for the better.

    Reply
  96. Liz S says

    August 19, 2019 at 6:28 pm

    I’m American. I went to K-2nd grade in Belgium and we only wrote in cursive. When I returned to the US for 3rd grade, the other kids were just starting to learn cursive. I got teased a lot because I couldn’t print well and was so shy, so I stubbornly gave up cursive any chance I had. It’s a skill I wish I’d never lost, and I plan on teaching it to my 2yo when she’s older.

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      August 19, 2019 at 8:32 pm

      CONGRATULATIONS! You are one of the winners! Please check your email

      Reply

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