Why Is It Good For Your Children To Learn To Write By Hand? – Being Parents

Is writing by hand a lost art? The increase in technology in and outside the classroom means that, in general, fewer children write by hand. However, many psychologists and educational experts argue that handwriting, both in block letters and in attached letters, is still a very valuable skill.

Writing by hand should not be lost for the world. Through our writing, we have the chance to be able to convey what we feel, what we want to say or learn. But why is it good for your children to learn to write by hand?

Preparation for handwriting

Young children stimulate the key parts of their brains that they need to read when they are learning to write. Drawing or writing on empty paper activates parts of the brain that adults use when reading and writing, while  drawing or writing letters has significantly lower stimulation.

Increased productivity and creativity

Handwriting increases productivity and creativity because different pathways are used in the brain. This allows children to produce more words faster and express more ideas than writing on the computer, for example. When we write, we activate regions of the brain associated with cognition, language and working memory.

Progress in learning difficulties

People with learning disabilities seem to benefit from handwriting, especially in attached letters. Learning the handwriting attached to children can indeed help in the treatment of dyslexia.

It seems to help children learn the movement of words from left to right on the page. And it helps them develop motor skills that avoid inverting letters, such as confusing “b” with “d”.

On the other hand, writing in attached letters can help with writing speed, readability, and correct spelling of words, possibly because the letters are connected to the page and, therefore, to memory.

Advances in auditory learning

Students who take notes through a computer at university do not perform better than those who take them by hand. Handwriting helps them retain information better. Why ? Because they transcribe the information they receive in their own words, something that  reinforces the learning of the content they are learning.

Connecting to the story by hand writing

Think about it: Children will only be able to read original versions of important historical documents if they learn handwriting or handwriting. They will only be able to  decipher handwritten writing if they know that letters can have multiple shapes.

Each person has their own type of writing and it has nothing to do with computer letters. Moreover, many old letters, documents and recipes transmitted to families are also written in attached letters: knowing how to read them can therefore have significant personal value.

A unique form of communication

A handwritten note is more unique, personal, and reflective than a text or email. We all know how special it is to see children hand writing letters to Santa Claus and cards to loved ones. Or when we receive a handwritten thank you message in the mail. There is nothing more original than a handwritten signature.

Handwriting is so special that there is no reason to replace it with computer writing. Writing on the computer is of course a good thing. However, this should only be done when reading and writing are well consolidated in children. Moreover, one should never replace writing by hand by writing on the computer because of new technologies.

This way of writing is linked to the emotions, the heart, the mind and the memory. It should therefore remain a priority in children’s learning.

Comprehensive reading and handwriting are the foundation of everything if one is to be successful in life. Reinforce this type of writing in your children whenever you have the chance. This could be, for example, making the shopping list, leaving little words of thanks, keeping a journal of his feelings, etc.