We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…
Now and then, I come across an article I feel worthy of sharing. Over the long Labor Day weekend, one of those articles appeared on my computer screen. It was a relatively dated article from November 2022 in The Atlantic and was titled Gen Z Never Learned To Read Cursive.
It seems beginning in 2010, cursive writing was omitted from some school classrooms, and handwriting, in general, wasn’t a focus of literacy instruction. The thought at the time was the focus should be on keyboarding since laptops were readily available in the classrooms, and this “new wave” would replace the need for penmanship. Some schools even decided to forego spelling instruction because students had access to “spell check,” so why worry about spelling?
The advocates for continuing handwriting instruction, especially cursive, knew that there is a crucial connection between the hand and the brain. While the debate over the necessity of cursive handwriting instruction in the modern digital age continues, proponents of this connection point to several benefits:
- Cognitive development: Writing by hand, including cursive, is believed to engage different parts of the brain compared to typing on a keyboard. It promotes fine motor skills and coordination, which are essential for brain development, especially in young children.
- Memory and learning: Some studies suggest that taking notes by hand may enhance memory retention and comprehension compared to typing. The physical act of forming letters and words may help reinforce the material being learned.
- Creativity and expression: Cursive writing is often seen as a more artistic and personal form of writing. Advocates argue that it allows individuals to express themselves uniquely and creatively, which can be beneficial for personal development.
- Historical and cultural preservation: Learning cursive enables individuals to read historical documents, letters and manuscripts that are written in cursive.
At Saint Edward’s, our lower school students are exposed to handwriting as well as cursive writing. We may be in the information and technology age; however, we will not forego traditional instruction, especially when it has proven it works. The students at Saint Edward’s will be able to read and understand the Declaration of Independence!
I look forward to seeing you around campus!
Stuart
Stuart
Saint Edward's School
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