By Tayla for Motherhood the Real Deal
In this day of gadgets and gizmos where the thumb seems to be mightier than the pen, you could be forgiven for thinking that teaching children handwriting is not as important as it once was. WRONG! Teaching children handwriting is still as important as ever. I’ve joined forces with uni-ball to share my thoughts on why handwriting is a skill that needs to be cherished and nurtured:
It improves memory
As a child, I remember writing things over and over in order to remember them. These days as an adult can I remember anything that I type on a keyboard? Not likely! The reason why this is is because the brain engages differently when you write something down on paper as opposed to getting the same thought, idea or sentence down via a keyboard. It’s no wonder then that studies have shown that handwriting improves memory and that children learn better when writing ideas down, as opposed to typing them.
It is better at helping children with literacy
While there are so many fantastic apps out there these days to help children to learn the alphabet and to read and write, sometime’s the old school really is the best school. Learning letters on a screen only engages the eyes and the fingertips however learning them through writing also brings in more touch sensory experiences, fine-motor muscles in the fingers and even the arms and body.
Note-keeping rocks
As a blogger, this one comes from the heart. Although the words that I write at this precise moment are all through the keyboard, almost all my note taking is done in a note pad and many successful people across all careers and walks of life state that jotting down notes has been crucial to their success. The ability to jot down notes is still so important so let’s not forget it.
Handwriting helps children be in the now
Technology has it’s place, but it can also be a massive distraction. There is something amazingly immersive about handwriting – it brings you into the now. You can’t write as fast as you think – unlike typing. Handwriting forces us all to slow down and be more considered – something that is invaluable for children in this crazy fast paced life we live in.
Handwriting is part of a child’s identity
Do you remember experimenting with different styles of handwriting as a child? I do. I remember also experiemting with copying other people’s styles, and wondering what someone’s handwriting said about them. Handwriting is a unique personal statement, and one that should be embraced by every child as part of their individuality and exploration of self.
You can’t beat a child’s handwritten note
OK, slightly selfish, but you know when your child first starts writing you little notes, thank you letters, and cards. You heart melts. Are you going to feel that way when they learn to send you an email, or leave a message up on your computer instead of a post it note? Nah, I didn’t think so. These acts of handwriting have to be up there with the moments that make parenthood worthwhile.
So as you can tell I’m really a handwriting advocate, and if you’re passionate about keeping the skill of handwriting alive in your children, why not check out these top tips on teaching handwriting to children as well as these free handwriting worksheets for children.