THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD HANDWRITING
For younger children:
Handwriting is an essential skill for both children and adults. Handwriting activates the brain more than keyboarding because it involves more complex motor and cognitive skills. Handwriting contributes to reading fluency because it activates visual perception of letters. Handwriting is a predictor of success in other subjects, because good handwriting has a positive impact on grades. Cursive writing helps students, both young and old, with dyslexia. Children can have a very hard time with writing in print because many of the letters look similar, particularly b and d. Also it can feel very uncomfortable and disjointed writing in print. Cursive writing offers each letter a very different look and allow the pupil to write in a flowing, comfortable way. This can decrease their dyslexic tendencies and make them more confident in their abilities.
As children get older:
Many standardised assessments are based on written work, particularly in time-limited written examinations. Without fast and legible handwriting, students will miss out on learning opportunities, under-achieve and may fall behind. Good handwriting remains as a major form of assessment for many formal qualifications. Illegible handwriting can cause poor self-esteem. Poor self esteem can trigger loss of confidence. Children who experience difficulty mastering handwriting may avoid writing and produce poor written work. Children with poor handwriting will find it hard to proof read their own work. They will then fail to spot their mistakes and their confidence may dip even lower.
Into adulthood:
Good handwriting is essential long after graduation. In our modern world, in all walks of life, people are judged by their handwriting. Jotting down a shopping list, writing a birthday card, taking down a phone message, completing a form at the bank, filling out immigration forms….handwriting is part of our daily lives. It is on show to others and may be used to make judgements about us. Learning to write letters and numbers correctly is especially important when writing down e mail addresses, website URL’s, and phone numbers. One wrong letter or number can prevent communication. Good writing skills can help you in life. If you’re trying to get a job, good writing skills make you more desirable to the employer. One of the first things an employer looks at is your cover letter or resume.
Throughout life:
Children, students, teachers, lecturers, parents feel happy, confident and inspired by good handwriting skills. Good handwriting is the platform for achievement in the workplace and self assurance in life. It is, and will remain, the key to progress and success.