Handwriting is important

Crossing the Stream – Handwriting’s role as a stepping stone over troubled water.

Imagine a forest stream with a path of smooth pebbles nestled beneath. Each pebble, polished by the flow of time, represents a crucial stepping stone in the educational journey. Among all the stepping stones, handwriting stands out as a vital stepping stone, essential for acquiring language proficiency, spelling, and cognitive development.

From the earliest stages of education, educators guide young learners through the intricate dance of shaping letters, first making use of a variety of exercises to strengthen the muscles in the hand needed for pencil control. Recent research suggests that the process of forming letters by hand, with its inherent variations, is integral to children’s ability to recognize and internalize letter shapes—a cornerstone for reading and writing fluency.

The National Reading Panel underscores the significance of letter knowledge and phonemic awareness as predictors of reading proficiency. Handwriting directly supports these predictors by engaging children in tactile learning experiences that stimulate neural pathways related to visual recognition and letter-sound associations.

Modern neuroscience corroborates these findings, revealing heightened brain activity in children who engage in manual printing compared to those who solely view letters passively on a tablet, electronic white board, worksheet or a textbook.
As students’ progress through their academic journey, the importance of handwriting persists, despite the proliferation of digital tools.

Handwritten assignments and exams SHOULD continue to be a substantial part of academic assessment.

*Legibility, a hallmark of effective handwriting, not only impacts grades but also enhances the clarity and coherence of written expression, promoting critical thinking and effective communication.

*It fosters automaticity—the ability to write effortlessly—which accelerates writing speed and output. Mastery of both manuscript and cursive styles empowers students to choose the most efficient handwriting method for notetaking, classroom assignments, and high-stakes assessments.

The journey of handwriting fluency serves as the polished pebble in the educational stream, guiding students toward literacy, critical thinking, and lifelong learning.

By embracing handwriting instruction, educators and parents ensure that students develop essential skills that transcend the digital age. Handwriting not only connects learners to the rich traditions of communication but also equips them with the agility to adapt and excel in a rapidly evolving world.

This article was adapted after it originally appeared on Zaner-Bloser.com.