"I remember learning cursive in 3rd grade — is it still being taught in classrooms today?" It's a comment I hear frequently. As typing, texting, and voice memos become frequent modes of communication, some wonder if handwriting is a relevant skill in our future.
But it turns out, it doesn't really matter whether handwriting is practical in a technology-driven world, it's the value of developing those skills. For elementary school-age children, learning to write is central to cognitive development, reading readiness, and becoming a confident writer.
"Unlike typing, which relies on a single, repetitive motion, handwriting activates multiple areas of the brain by combining visual, auditory and kinesthetic input."
With more technology and devices in K-12 classrooms post-COVID, California legislatures worried about a decreasing emphasis on handwriting, and in 2023, passed a new mandate to require cursive instruction in grades 1-6 (AB 446, 2023).
"Cursive, with its fluid, connected strokes, can help reduce letter reversals and provides a rhythmic pattern that helps children process words as whole units rather than a series of disconnected letters… The continuous movement can engage the brain's reading circuits and help improve memory and fluency. The sense of accomplishment gained from mastering this skill can be transformative."
Handwriting activates learning and memory in ways that typing doesn't... which is exactly why we automate compliance paperwork and never the thinking. As excited as we are about the power to leverage AI to increase operational efficiency in schools, we're just as enthusiastic in helping schools clarify and protect what AI shouldn't touch.
Source: The 74 — The Power of Handwriting: Improved Reading, Thinking, Memory and Learning