WHY WE SHOULD STILL TEACH OUR CHILDREN HOW TO WRITE BY HAND!
In the age of computing, when we rarely write anything by hand, but instead almost exclusively use keyboards of various types and sizes, one could ask the question; should we still teach our children how to write?
My answer is a definitive yes, and I go even further – in my class I start with teaching cursive writing, introducing letters in cursive. Here are my reasons why:
1. Even though we are today surrounded by technology and an enormous variety of gadgets via which we communicate, I don’t think we want to be entirely dependent on it. Imagine if this were taken away from us, we want to maintain the ability to communicate in writing. In my opinion, our brain is the superior technology, that’s what we need to be able to rely on; we carry it with us for as long as we are alive. There is a direct correlation between our hands and our brain; we can enhance our brain functions by the use of our hands. Our hands were created to do more than just hit the buttons of a keyboard.
2. When we use our hands, and specifically when we write and draw, we use our fine motor skills. Learning how to write is an amazing opportunity for children to develop these skills.
3. Writing combines the need for hand-eye coordination and our thoughts, the two are inextricably woven together in this activity.
4. In word processing we have gotten used to the editing function – make a mistake or change the wording or flow of a sentence, no problem – you erase and make the correction. In handwriting, the ability to correct is strictly limited – it, therefore, teaches us to discipline ourselves and our thoughts. The same is true with spelling – the correction options available in word processing software is gradually destroying our ability to spell correctly.
5. As a result of learning how to use their hands, children develop self-confidence. I have found that developing fine motor skills is strongly correlated to confidence, the satisfaction of accomplishing something using their hands. In early childhood education, and specifically in Montessori, we combine sensorial development activities with practical life activities as an extension of life, and these activities help children to develop the use of their hands, and writing refines this ability even more.
6. In early childhood education, and specifically Montessori, writing comes before reading. Writing starts with movable alphabets to manifest their thoughts. This is important for a child; writing is coding what they think, reading is de-coding what others think – that’s why naturally writing comes first.
In a future article, I will share my experience around teaching children cursive writing and a practical curriculum on how to do so…