Is Cursive Handwriting Important Anymore?

Is Cursive Handwriting Important Anymore?

I put the question out on my (personal) Facebook last year about Cursive handwriting in schools.  I ws shocked when my friends replied that their kids didn’t learn cursive handwriting until the third grade if they even learned it at all and that once they learned it, that was it, it was never brought up again.  They weren’t required practice it or use it.

I learned cursive handwriting in the 1st grade.  Well, let me go back and say, I remember doing cursive in the 1st grade.  There’s a real possibility that I actually learned it in Kindergarten.  And then I was required to use it for the next several years.  I went to a private school and any assignment that had to be turned in to the teacher had to be in cursive.  I think my sixth grade teacher allowed us to print if we were taking notes and on most assignments but even she required special assignments to be in cursive.

Why isn’t cursive considered important in schools anymore!

I think it should be.  Of course, Bug is homeschooled and he is starting cursive this year (2nd grade) because I felt it was important.  And he’s actually loving it!  And his cursive is better than his print – after  2 months of cursive practice, it’s better than 2 years of practicing print.  Go figure.

The Argument to Teach Cursive

Some parents and educators want cursive handwriting to be included in students’ lessons. Here’s what they said about that:

• How will they ever be able to read historical documents such as the constitution, etc if they don’t learn to read and write in cursive? -Sara J.
• I don’t think it has been taught in our school for at least the last 10 to 15 years. Cursive writing will become a lost art in America. I think it
  should still be taught. -Claudia A.
• Yes! It’s part of my children’s 2nd grade homeschool curriculum. They just started doing it, and they are so excited about it. :) -Angela M.

Download FREE cursive handwriting worksheets on Educents!

The Argument Not to Teach Cursive

Some say cursive is no longer an essential lesson to teach kids, here are their reasoning for that:

• No, it’s not relevant anymore. Learn typing instead. -Robert C.
• Honestly, it’s no longer important. Teach them to sign their name; then teach them to convey their thoughts, and be persuasive, via oral and written communications. Why would we want to spend valuable school time, beyond a day or two, teaching someone to sign their name in cursive? Why don’t we spend time teaching calculations via abacus or slide rules? -Gary F.
• I can read Shakespeare, Mark Twain and the Bible among other things all without ever needing cursive. Just don’t get the hype. -Mike E.

Handwriting Resources for Kids

Are you an educator or parent who wants to spend time teaching your kids how to write in cursive? If so, these resources from Educents will make it a lot easier and FUN to learn cursive.

• FREE Super Hero Cursive Alphabet Writing Worksheets – Have you met the Educents Heroes? Your child can practice writing cursive with 53 pages of FREE CURSIVE alphabet worksheets! The Educents Heroes are prepared with both lowercase and uppercase letters.
• Wild Animal Print Cursive Alphabet Posters – A set of 26 cursive alphabet posters in a fun wild animal print for less than $5!
• Revolutionary War Copywork in Cursive Activities – Learn history while you learn how to write cursive! This eBook contains 20 quotes from America’s Founding Fathers for kids to write!

Web Learning Resources for Kids

Online learning is becoming even more important for the next generations. Educents also has affordable resources that helps children develop their typing and coding skills.

• Learn to Mod with Minecraft – Did you know kids can learn how
  to code by modifying (or “modding”) Minecraft®? Kids learn how to code in Java® and apply it to Minecraft® themed problems!
• The WriteWell App– A simple and intuitive web-based tool that makes writing fun and effective. With its unique visual and tactile interface and library of interactive essay templates, WriteWell is a convenient tool for teachers and students at home or in the classroom.
• Handwriting Worksheet Wizard – StartWrite helps teachers, homeschoolers, and parents create handwriting lessons quickly and easily. This program saves hours in lesson preparation time, yet allows you to easily create fun, meaningful worksheet to teach handwriting.

What do you think?

Have your kids or will your kids learn cursive in school?  Or are you teaching them at home?