Cursive, The Lost Art

In the Spring of last year I introduced myself to the student by writing my name on the board in cursive. One of the students asked my name.  I said" do any of you know how to write in cursive? " One of the students said" I can read it!"  "it says Mrs. Davis!"   The excited students asked if I would show them how to write . I spent about fifteen minutes showing them the proper ways of drawing letters and making beautiful words.  The time was limited due to the busy schedule.

 To  me drawing is a lot like writing. When you write your brain slows down and your writing becomes more creative. Learning how to write brings more verbal and written expression to each student's  work. Neurologists, psychologists and Special education teachers all express the benefits of teaching penmanship to school age students.

 Yet with the new guideline cursive is fast becoming the lost art. Soon  our children will not be able to read the Declaration of Independence or any document that is written and not printed.  Our forefather wrote these documents to be shared for all time so that generation, after generation can learn what the great men of the past have done for us.

When you write you connect each letter to make a word. using loops and curves to make a beautiful  document. Children who write can visualize what they wrote often improving their reading and vocabulary. 

Do they teach cursive in your school? If not why not start a writing club where kids can have fun with other students experimenting in learning to write so even if  the schools do not teach it the  child will be prepared  for the 21st century.