The debate rages on over whether cursive handwriting is still needed in this age of technology.   

The reality is that most states no longer require that cursive handwriting be taught as part of a school’s core curriculum.  Thus, many schools have chosen to eliminate that instruction from their 3rd grade requirements.  Marion Wilm,Occupational Therapist at Child and Family Development, is astonished that many parents do not even realize that their children no longer learn cursive handwriting.   They assume that their child is learning this skill in school. 

Marion writes: 

USA education standards are falling below many other industrialized nations of the world.  Many nations have passed the USA in math and science skills.  Most students in other countries learn more than one foreign language.  They also teach their children to write in cursive.  I believe that languages and cursive writing enhance brain development, spatial reasoning, and critical thinking skills.  So why should we give up so easily on giving our children an edge on learning?  I think that cursive handwriting really is still important.

Parents, you can teach your children to write in cursive.  There are some great resource books on the Handwriting Without Tears website (www.hwtears.com).  These books break down the process of learning to write in cursive into very simple steps.  Only 10-15 minutes per day of practice will help you and your child embrace success in learning to write in cursive.  The “old” days of practicing pages and pages of cursive are no longer needed. 

At Child and Family Development in Charlotte and Pineville, we also offer cursive handwriting groups, as well as individual occupational therapy. Contact us to enroll your child.