Both my kids learned how, but I've never made them write in cursive. I just don't want them to be lost if they encounter cursive in life. Of course, learning cursive won't ensure that you can read everyone's writing.
No. I let my (almost) high schooler decide which she prefers. Her handwriting tends to be a mix of both (as is mine). I care that her writing is neat and I'm able to read it. She is able to write and read cursive, I feel, at this point in human history, that's all that really matters. My middle son, on the other hand, I do make him do it more often, and next year in 7th grade I'm going to require more. His manuscript is AWFUL, but his cursive in gorgeous! LOL
They had to learn cursive. DS prefers cursive and always writes in cursive, but it is not very neat! DD prefers print. She is dysgraphic, so I let her choose.
Well, I taught all 3 to write in cursive. My younger does beautifully, my oldest does ok, but my middle boy-oi! I have just given up on him! He types *almost* everything. I have had him tested by the local school for disability and they said he's fine, that there are just variations of ability and he was well within range of 'normal'. More recently, I talked to the charter school (which we joined this last year) about his penmanship, and they said the same thing. So I guess I'll quit worrying about it. It's not ok to me, but I guess it's 'normal' according to the so-called experts..... Naw...I'll have him to cursive exercises again this year for a last ditch effort to get some improvement!
No. I teach cursive at age 7 or 8, but they can choose how they write after that. Ds14 mostly writes in cursive, but prints for math or when he's writing something very short. Ds12 and Ds9 prefer to print.
Em has been writing in cursive since Kindergarten. She caught on right away and loved it. For the most part, she only writes in cursive. I actually never had to think about it.
No. I made them learn it enough so that they can read it. But, no, other than writing their signature on forms, they do not write in cursive. Although my son who just graduated from college admitted that he had a tough time reading his grandmother's note on his graduation card. He figured it out, but it took some effort. So, if I had to do it over again, I might have had them spend a wee bit longer getting used to it.
I didn't realize how many kids don't do cursive until I started taking to my cousin and her kids' school doesn't teach cursive at all anymore. Cursive will be mandatory at our house, at least 1/4 of the time. I think its sad that cursive is becoming a lost art. Our kids are also learning typing too.
If they come to me not knowing it (or using it hardly at all), I will insist that they learn it. Like at least one year (more if they stay longer) of Pentime. In the second half of the year I usually insist on at least one or two writing assignments done in cursive. I think the reason they don't write in cursive more is that they don't get proper and sufficient practice early on, for whatever reason. Once cursive is thoroughly learned, it's faster than printing and CAN be neater, too!
If my kids are turning in handwritten work to me, I expect it to be in cursive. Even in this computer age, I still find value in cursive writing. It is faster for note taking (because you are not picking up the pencil after each letter) which will be a valuable skill for college (if/when my kids decide to go). One memory about the importance of reading and writing cursive comes to mind. Not long ago my sister and I took our kids to D.C. where one of the stops was to the National Archives where we viewed the Declaration of Independence. My sister's kids could not read the document because it was in cursive! They attend a public school which no longer requires it. Who knows? Our kids might be able to get jobs one day as archivists if they are the only one able to read primary source documents because their public-school counterparts were never taught the skill!
Ran across this article. It's long, but I think it needs to be read. It's what I've been saying all along, but didn't have the hard data to back it up. http://davidsortino.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/10221/brain-research-and-cursive-writing/ And from Psychology Today: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/memory-medic/201303/what-learning-cursive-does-your-brain From the NY Times, by an OT rep from HWT: http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebat...ive/the-benefits-of-cursive-go-beyond-writing There are lots more articles out there - just google brain research cursive writing.
As you know, back in the day, it was stressed to learn how to do cursor writing. If you really think about it, it is another form of art. Although we learn how to do cursor writing and then our new "technical credit card sign on the X" makes our art look scrambled, haha. If anything, be sure your child can print clearly. As a drafting instructor, I always start my students with BLOCK STYLE LETTERING and I explain the importance of others being able to read your writing especially when you fill job applications. Mr. Murray Drafting Online Instructor
I understand the need for block print in certain applications, like drafting, graphic novels, and filling out forms. My husband used to be a detail artist for a factory and still block prints everything. When he goes fast, I can't read it. I still think CURSIVE writing is important.
Cursive Writing I totally agree cursive writing is important! As a teacher, it is hard to read some students writing and they need to practice. I heard they don't hardly teach cursive writing anymore. I myself went to a Catholic school with the old time nuns, believe me, if you didn't write your letters correctly.........:cry:
Thought I taught it to all three only one out of the lot prefers cursive. My youngest is the most neat writer, does it when told but I usually have him typing his reports up and emailing them to me for printing so... not that much. I do however make them practice their names as they will need it for signatures,
