A recent article voiced the frustrations of primary school teachers who have found children are less prepared for handwriting, largely due to the inordinate amount of time spent on electronic devices. Add to this dilemma the fact that most public schools and many private schools are no longer teaching cursive writing. Further, some schools are even deemphasizing manuscript writing. This troubles me in more ways than I can fully articulate.
How will our children know how to sign documents?
How will they jot quick ideas when their batteries die on their smartphones?
How will they trigger their writing creativity when current research shows we are most creative when we handwrite ideas?
How will they take notes when it has been shown we remember more when we write them down?
Yes, it bothers me that once more our children are part of a glorious experiment that in a few years bureaucrats will realize did not work. I am old enough to remember the new math that became old, or the whole language approach which resulted in more students in remedial reading than ever before. I recall in NYs when instead of algebra, geometry and trigonometry we math A and B. Math A and B was a mishmash of algebra, geometry and some trigonometry.
Homeschoolers, at least most homeschoolers, have consistently educated our children rather conservatively, ignoring the next fad in favor of long-term success. Handwriting, including cursive writing, is a life skill that given seven years or so (my observation) will cause people to wake up and return to instruction. I wonder though what will happen to kids caught up in this experiment?
Your child does not have to be part of this soon-to-fail experiment. In only ten minutes a day, you can review manuscript and cursive writing with your child. You can even choose a method as simple as italic writing which transitions into cursive very easily.
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Cheryl Carter has helped many students get into the college of their choice. Her advice is always practical and strategic. She prides herself on giving parents “the homeschool advantage” college admission advice.