Handwriting
Lots of folks worry about their kids' handwriting, and how will they ever learn, and what is the BEST and CHEAPEST curriculum out there to teach handwriting?
Whoa. Slow down. Let's think about this a minute.
Handwriting experts can tell if a sample of writing is a forgery or not when compared to the real thing. Why? Everyone's handwriting is unique and individual. It's almost as unique as the fingerprints on the fingers that do the writing. Cursive writing is like art: it's an expression of our personality and a handwritten note is much more intimate than a typed one.
This is all to say that no matter what cursive curriculum we choose to teach our kids how to write, they will develop their own style over time. We adults have done this too. And that's OK!
We get so worried about producing wonderfully educated children, we believe that for every subject under the sun we MUST have the right curriculum (and a cheap one, too).
Want the cheapest cursive curriculum out there? Buy some paper and pencils. Invest in a white board or chalk board. Write in cursive and let the kids watch. Let them trace your letters. Have them practice. Show them how to connect cursive letters. Move on to words and sentences. Let them explore cursive on their own.
Let's face it. No one actually writes letters and words like we see in curricula in real life. No one! The purpose of working from a sample of cursive is to get the hang of it, and then write legibly, but in your own style. That's it.
So let's stop haranguing our kids over this. It's gotten so far out of hand, someone had to create a cursive curriculum called "Handwriting Without Tears." That title alone brings to my mind many browbeaten kids out there, trying to write in cursive, but just not doing it "right."
Do we browbeat our kids over their artwork? No. Then why are we doing it over their handwriting? I suspect it's a bit of a matter of pride on our part. If your child is struggling, take note of your attitude. Maybe back off a bit, and let them practice on their own terms, on paper or other medium that suits them. It won't look like the cursive in your curriculum, nor should it.
If you are able to write in cursive, then you can teach your child. The money you spend on curriculum can be spent on paper and pencils (which can be used for other subjects, too). Sometimes when we do less, our kids can do more.
Whoa. Slow down. Let's think about this a minute.
Handwriting experts can tell if a sample of writing is a forgery or not when compared to the real thing. Why? Everyone's handwriting is unique and individual. It's almost as unique as the fingerprints on the fingers that do the writing. Cursive writing is like art: it's an expression of our personality and a handwritten note is much more intimate than a typed one.
This is all to say that no matter what cursive curriculum we choose to teach our kids how to write, they will develop their own style over time. We adults have done this too. And that's OK!
We get so worried about producing wonderfully educated children, we believe that for every subject under the sun we MUST have the right curriculum (and a cheap one, too).
Want the cheapest cursive curriculum out there? Buy some paper and pencils. Invest in a white board or chalk board. Write in cursive and let the kids watch. Let them trace your letters. Have them practice. Show them how to connect cursive letters. Move on to words and sentences. Let them explore cursive on their own.
Let's face it. No one actually writes letters and words like we see in curricula in real life. No one! The purpose of working from a sample of cursive is to get the hang of it, and then write legibly, but in your own style. That's it.
So let's stop haranguing our kids over this. It's gotten so far out of hand, someone had to create a cursive curriculum called "Handwriting Without Tears." That title alone brings to my mind many browbeaten kids out there, trying to write in cursive, but just not doing it "right."
Do we browbeat our kids over their artwork? No. Then why are we doing it over their handwriting? I suspect it's a bit of a matter of pride on our part. If your child is struggling, take note of your attitude. Maybe back off a bit, and let them practice on their own terms, on paper or other medium that suits them. It won't look like the cursive in your curriculum, nor should it.
If you are able to write in cursive, then you can teach your child. The money you spend on curriculum can be spent on paper and pencils (which can be used for other subjects, too). Sometimes when we do less, our kids can do more.
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