Opinion: Bring back cursive writing

Cursive+writing+is+a+dying+skill%2C+except+in+some+classrooms.

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Cursive writing is a dying skill, except in some classrooms.

Timber Summerfield

Days Creek Charter school doesn’t teach cursive writing anymore.  

This forgotten skill engages students to use more of the brain.  It also helps the students become better at spelling. 

I personally think younger students should be taught this because it would help them in the future. Cursive handwriting simulates the brain in ways typing cannot.  This kind of writing improves the dynamic interplay of the left and right cerebral hemispheres of the brain. It also Increases retention. 

The act of taking notes by hand instead of on a computer encourages a student to process the content and reframe it, which leads to better understanding and retention. 

Studies indicate that college students remember information better one week later when they transcribed a paragraph in cursive than when they printed it or used a keyboard. Cursive writing also helps build neural pathways and increases mental effectiveness. 

Printing is more difficult than cursive due to the frequent stop-and-start motion when forming letters. In addition, some printed letters look similar and are easily reversed, like the b and d, which is often confusing to children. Cursive is of particular value to children with learning challenges such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and difficulties with attention.

Some students at Days Creek learned cursive, but many others did not. 

“I learned how to write in cursive when I was in elementary school,” said Marshall Haswell, a junior who transferred to Days Creek in middle school. “More and more kids don’t know how to though and I think that needs to change.”   

Beyond comprehension, cursive is a skill that can be used in other subjects, like personal finance. 

“I think cursive should be taught to the younger classes because it is helpful to know how to sign your name on checks and stuff like that,” senior Breanna Milliron said.