TODAY's Jenna Wolfe talks to an expert handwriting analyst to discover how the art form of cursive handwriting can show who you are.
Thanks to the prevalence of technology, from computers to mobile devices, people are writing less and less. And now, schools are rethinking teaching kids how to write in cursive. In 44 states, teaching cursive is optional, and in Indiana and Hawaii, cursive has been removed from the curriculum. Some argue that teaching cursive is a waste of precious school time, while others say it’s still an important skill to have. What do you think? Should schools stop teaching cursive?
Should schools stop teaching kids cursive?
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First of all, the six year olds who say they can "type" on the computer are hunting and pecking. Watch. You'll see. Little ones can't reach the keys to do touch typing. And they take FOREVER. This is why they still need handwriting instruction. Even older ones still hunt and peck up until about middle school.
AND no one has mentioned Cursive Italic. This system is "joined print". The advantage being that kids don't revert to print in middle school. (a common complaint about cursive) It's easy to learn, legible and kids retain it and don't revert to scrawl. The other methods sell the most textbooks. Cursive italic is used in Oregon and Washington very successfully.
I think the computer has a place but should NEVER replace good handwriting instruction. Maybe if we spent less time teaching to standardized tests we'd have time for that.
It is a personal identity. Yes, it does take time to teach but it also teaches students to take time and the use of their motor skills to perfect the art of cursive.
I hope the old-fashioned, hand written thank you note will NEVER disappear. Learning how to write is fundamental to an education - even though we have computers and spell check! We can still be modern and up to the minute with the latest technology, but eliminating something as important as cursive writing would be a terrible shame. What about writing in beautiful journals; place cards...there is an endless list of times we ALL appreciate something that is done "by hand".