cursive

BREAKING NEWS

CURSIVE writing making a comeback! 

Did you know there was an issue about cursive writing? To teach or not to teach, to write or not to write. Where do you stand on this issue, what are your thoughts?

This issue first came up for me in 2010, when I was blown away to find that my grandchildren were not being taught cursive writing in school. They were so surprised when I wrote on their kitchen blackboard wall in cursive, they were all like 'HOW did you do that?'

A little online research came up with this conclusion - cursive writing is obsolete - why didn't I know this?

This topic in the past has prompted some good discussions with bloggers, friends, and family. Bonnie in St. Louis continues to send me news articles regarding the fate of cursive writing, this one had some very good points:

In years gone by, it {cursive} helped distinguish the literate from the illiterate.

Cursive conveys intelligence and grace, engages creativity and builds brain cells… more areas of the human brain are engaged when children use cursive handwriting than when they keyboard. 

Scholars of the future will lose the ability to interpret valuable cultural resources, historical documents. The Constitution of the United States is written in cursive. Think about that.

Penmanship is so personal and unique to each individual, a written and tangible extension of their personality that you can hold and keep. Just think of your grandmother's pound cake recipe, just seeing the words written out identifies that person and sparks wonderful childhood memories.

I remember spending what seems like the entire 3rd grade practicing cursive writing. The charts and arrows, the way the letters were supposed to fit together for a seamless word, the flow of the pencil or pen, not lifting off the paper until the end of the word. The fun curvy capital L and the funny looking capital Q that looked like a number 2.

It just takes a little practice. Education begins at home. Maybe this is the answer, make it fun, along with arts and crafts, teach cursive writing to your kids or grandkids, at least how to sign their name. Because it is an art. A lost art.

So many things have become obsolete. Cursive writing is like an endangered species. Let us nurture it back to life. So go, write something down, write a letter, a grocery list, put pen to paper one last time before you forget how.

SAVE CURSIVE WRITING!