By Karen Lange
With the technological advancements we are experiencing, many parents are asking if it’s a necessary subject for their homeschool. They recognize the connection between handwriting and fine motor skills but wonder, with technology advancing daily, will it be necessary for the future?
According to kidshealth.org, handwriting is a “complex task” that builds fine motor, reading, and critical- thinking skills. It illustrates the importance of words by showing children the connection between reading and writing. As children get older, they say it helps build confidence and note-taking skills too.
In fundamental terms, handwriting is something most people do every day. Whether it’s a penning a grocery list, signing a check, or writing in a log at work, writing by hand is a necessary skill. It helps facilitate communication with others. While technology is an asset overall, I believe that in some ways it has created a disconnected and impersonal society.
Now before you point out how Skype has enabled connections between distant family members, or that Facebook has provided friends from around the globe, hear me out. I agree, these are good things that link us when connecting otherwise is impossible. But consider this, when was the last time you received a handwritten note? Assuming it was cordial, how did it make you feel? A handwritten note, even a line or two, can offer a unique connection and express emotions not otherwise expressed.
What can we do to cultivate handwriting? Here are a few ideas:
- Write thank you notes. Young students can draw a picture, dictating a short caption expressing their gratitude. Older children who aren’t yet fluent writers can pen a few lines with their signature. Even upper elementary and high school students can get into this habit, practicing not only their handwriting but composition skills. Note ideas include thanks for gifts or to an instructor, coach, mentor, employee, volunteer, or someone else children regularly work with or see.
- Practice letters by having young students copy the alphabet at their own pace and ability level. Make up games, such as drawing eyes on letters and turning them into animals.
- Label common items around the house using index cards with names, such as bed, door, desk, and refrigerator. Allow children to illustrate the cards, then place them on the appropriate item.
- Make greeting cards for holidays, get-well, sympathy, or congratulations. Include an illustration, joke, or poem, or simply a few lines to say “thinking of you”.
- Write a field trip note. Children can share their thanks for or observations about a recent outing. Address it to the group or individual who facilitated the visit. Encourage children to mention their favorite part of the experience.
- Write a note once a month to distant relatives or friends. Grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins or close family friends would probably welcome a greeting. If children are short on ideas, encourage them to share about family events (new baby, swimming lessons, a lost tooth), the weather, a joke, recipe, poem, or drawing.
- Create a newspaper or literary journal. It might include local or family news and events, stories, or poetry. Similar to number 6, this project could be done with other homeschool families as a regular or one time project.
Will it matter in ten years? I think so. No matter what technology holds for the future, handwriting is a viable means of communication. By encouraging it, we help build practical skills and perhaps even a mentality of consideration and gratitude for the others who influence our lives. We encourage connections, ones that may continue for a lifetime.
Karen Lange homeschooled her three children in grades K-12. She is the author of Homeschool Co-ops 101, a freelance writer, and online writing instructor at the Homeschool Online Writing Co-op for Teens. Email Karen at writingcoop@yahoo.com.
