Do you know how to write in cursive? Cursive, a once mainstream penmanship, has become ancient to today’s students. As keyboards predominate notebooks in classrooms, cursive lessons have lost emphasis. Despite cursive’s decline in usage among younger generations, it offers many significant benefits and therefore should be taught in all schools.
The Common Core Standards, educational calibers for K-12 American students that do not require cursive instruction, were adopted by over 40 states after it launched in 2010, according to the New York Times. As a result, districts, schools and teachers can determine the extent to which they teach cursive in states that follow the Common Core.
According to the Washington Post, 85% of SAT essays were printed as opposed to scripted by 2006 even though cursive is a faster way to write, given you only lift your hand between each word rather than every letter. On a handwritten timed test, students would benefit from cursive’s efficiency. For example, when taking notes in a fast-paced class, writing in cursive makes it easier to jot down information quickly.
Handwriting speed is highly beneficial for students, as it enables them to prioritize subject mastery over tedious block-letter formation. Cursive instruction supports multiple aspects of a child’s education. According to Learning Without Tears, students develop reading and spelling skills through muscle memory from linking letters.
Dyslexic learners can benefit from cursive as well, because it can help reduce letter reversals, according to PBS. Beyond cognitive benefits, cursive lessons can also help advance motor skills, as reported by Learning Without Tears. Also, when students work to learn the cursive alphabet, it helps improve their hand-eye coordination.
The Washington Post found that up to 80% of the National Archives’ documents are written in cursive. Unfortunately, important historical records such as the Constitution are illegible in their original form to younger generations. Additionally, many young people struggle to read letters from older relatives who write in script. Schools should preserve cursive’s historical significance for future generations.
Without an emphasis on cursive in school, students are not prepared for adulthood. All adults must have a valid handwritten signature that shows identification as well as personality. Therefore, it is crucial for students to develop cursive skills so they are able to write their own names in script in the future.
Fortunately, the JDS curriculum still incorporates cursive. The JDS Second Grade General Studies Curriculum Guide states, “Gurim-Grade 2 focuses on printing, and by mid-year second grade, students are ready to learn cursive.” JDS students benefit from cursive instruction at a young age, but it would be worthwhile for required lessons to continue beyond the Lower School.
Cursive is artistic and timelessly elegant, as it blends functional handwriting with creative expression. Cursive lessons can be not only useful but enjoyable. If children are not exposed to script in addition to print, they do not get to experience cursive’s benefits and decide for themselves if they prefer it. Since cursive is a helpful tool all students can utilize, it should be incorporated in all school curriculums.
