What Learning Cursive Does for Your Brain
Yet scientists are discovering that learning cursive is an important tool for cognitive development, particularly in training the brain to learn “functional specialization,” that is capacity for optimal efficiency. In the case of learning cursive writing, the brain develops functional specialization that integrates both sensation, movement control, and thinking. Brain imaging studies reveal that multiple areas of brain become co-activated during learning of cursive writing of pseudo-letters, as opposed to typing or just visual practice.
Cursive Benefits Go Beyond Writing
Putting pen to paper stimulates the brain like nothing else, even in this age of e-mails, texts and tweets. In fact, learning to write in cursive is shown to improve brain development in the areas of thinking, language and working memory. Cursive handwriting stimulates brain synapses and synchronicity between the left and right hemispheres, something absent from printing and typing.Links
The College Board found that students who wrote in cursive for the essay portion of the SAT scored slightly higher than those who printed.
Lessons in Calligraphy and Penmanship
A Penmanship Forum
4 benefits of writing by hand
More Penmanship Links
When I was in school, we were taught using the Palmer method. While it is simpler, it lacks the "character" and the beauty of Spencerian script. We have been collecting home schooling materials for our grandchildren, and it includes several instruction manuals for learning the Spencer method.
ReplyDeleteWhen my father began working for the Weather Bureau in the 1940's, the application process included a handwriting test. His fountain pen, which I inherited, is one of my prized possessions. I had it restored by a man who specializes in repairing and restoring fountain pens.
Thank you for including the links following the post!
I think I was part of the last group of children taught to write in script of any kind in public schools. Most people my age and younger have no knowledge of penmanship. Glad you enjoyed the links.
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