Why I Don’t Care About My Child Learning Cursive Writing

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As an adult, my use of cursive writing is limited to signing receipts—hardly a skill worth dedicating precious school hours to. Sure, I’ve heard that understanding cursive is essential for reading historical documents like the Declaration of Independence, but in this digital age, I believe the internet and sleek fonts have us covered.

Reflecting on my own childhood, I recall the struggle of learning cursive during second grade. I grew up navigating the world of D’Nealian writing, which felt like learning it twice over. While it’s often said that writing helps engage different parts of our brains, research indicates that it doesn’t really matter whether it’s cursive or print. Science still matters, despite what some may claim.

Now, I may ruffle a few feathers among calligraphy enthusiasts, but there are far more beneficial activities I’d prefer my child to engage in during school hours. Here are just a few:

  1. Writing Clearly in Print: Let’s focus on ensuring that basic legibility is mastered before diving into cursive. If my fourth grader is any indication, we have a lot of work to do on spelling too. They need to know when to use their, they’re, and there—no exceptions.
  2. Getting Physical: I want my kids to run around so they come home exhausted. Tired children are happy children; they eat their meals without complaint and go to bed without a struggle. A little physical exertion goes a long way.
  3. Learning to Meditate: We all need a little calm in our lives, especially after a weekend crammed in a car with kids. Meditation skills will serve them well in the long run.
  4. Creating Art: Let them unleash their creativity without the worry of glitter and paint splattering my walls. School should be the place for messy fun.
  5. Practicing Instruments: If they must practice the recorder, I’d rather it be at school than subject myself to the sounds of a thousand tortured souls during dinner.
  6. Working on Science Projects: Let’s foster independence by having them tackle their science projects at school, without my constant help and supervision.
  7. Understanding Relationships: Navigating friendships is crucial for their social development, and it’ll be great when they eventually learn to live independently.
  8. Exploring History: Knowledge of the past is essential to avoid repeating it in the future.
  9. Capturing Stories: There’s a treasure trove of stories waiting to be written down. With all the chatter around here, they could fill pages with their thoughts.
  10. Avoiding Forgery: If they skip learning cursive, it’ll be much harder for them to forge my signature in high school. I consider this a win.

In summary, while I understand that cursive may benefit some learners, especially those with dyslexia or learning differences, there are far more pressing skills to focus on. Let’s prioritize physical education, artistic expression, and music over the intricacies of cursive writing. For those interested in learning more about child development and education, check out this insightful post on our other blog. If you’re considering at-home insemination, reputable retailers like Make a Mom offer great products for your needs. Additionally, resources such as Johns Hopkins Fertility Center provide excellent information about pregnancy and home insemination.

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