Cursive First!

The goal of cursive penmanship is to develop a legible and fluent writing style that enables the writer to communicate effectively with others and to record information and ideas at an efficient pace. According to Dr. Timothy Dernlan, “multiple studies have shown that cursive writing increases learning levels and cognitive abilities by training the brain to integrate visual, tactile, and fine motor skills simultaneously. It also increases connectivity between the right and left hemispheres of the brain. Cursive handwriting activates the same regions of the brain that are used when reading, but this area is not activated by typing.” 

At Schola, students are taught to write in cursive from the beginning due to its many advantages:

1. Cursive is simpler. Cursive letters are formed directionally from left-to-right, beginning and ending at the base line.
2. Because the cursive letters are more consistent in the direction of their formation, cursive writing minimizes directional problems (dyslexia) and avoids directional confusion as in manuscript (reversals of b/d and p/q).
3. Cursive words are written as a single connected unit, which leads to correct spacing.
4. The fluid, connected motion used when forming cursive letters is more natural for beginners and more efficient for experienced writers.
5. Students who learn cursive writing can read both cursive and manuscript. Students taught only manuscript writing cannot read cursive such as those from historical documents like the Declaration of Independence or letters from their grandparents.
6. Cursive writing is beautiful, as all things that are true, good, and beautiful are found in God alone.

Read more about "The Case For Cursive In A Digital World."

Dernlan, Timothy. A Guide to Understanding Classical Christian Education: 100 Common Question. Philadelphia, 2021.

--Thuy Mooney teaches elementary language arts at Schola.