In the age of digital technology, teaching cursive writing can seem obsolete. But recent studies prove that there are many benefits to teaching children to write in cursive. From improved reading skills and higher SAT scores to enhanced learning of spelling, vocabulary, and composition skills, handwriting has more benefits than you may think. Let’s take a closer look at why learning cursive is more than just an outdated skill.
The College Board Study on SAT Scores and Handwriting
A 2017 study by the College Board found that students who wrote in cursive for the essay portion of the SAT scored higher than those who printed. This suggests that handwriting plays an important role in how well students retain information or ideas they want to communicate. Writing by hand forces them to slow down and think about what they are putting on paper, thus allowing them to recall information better when needed.
The Peterson Directed Method of Handwriting
The Peterson Directed Method of handwriting focuses on “smooth, rhythmic motion with verbal prompts” to improve attention span, motor skills, muscle memory, and ultimately handwriting fluency. This method helps empower children with the ability to express themselves through writing – both longhand and digitally – while creating powerful links that enhance their learning of spelling, vocabulary, and composition skills.
Benefits for Homeschoolers
Homeschoolers can especially benefit from learning cursive as it gives them an opportunity to develop a skill set that sets them apart from other students their age. As mentioned previously, research shows that good penmanship leads to improved reading comprehension which is key for homeschoolers who are often required to read large amounts of material every day. Additionally, by having good penmanship habits established early on in their educational journey this sets homeschoolers up for success as they progress into college or other higher-level education programs in the future!
To sum it up, learning cursive isn’t just a forgotten skill or an outdated practice; rather it’s an important tool used to help foster strong reading comprehension skills as well as improved writing ability both digitally and longhand which will be beneficial down the road when children look into furthering their education after high school graduation. If you’re looking for a way to ensure your homeschooler succeeds academically then consider investing some time into teaching them how to write in cursive with a resource like Peterson’s Homeschool Handwriting Kits! Their kits are available for homeschoolers from pre-k to grade 8. It could make all the difference, at any stage!
— Article by Don Lease
