Every weekday morning, I pull out those classic dotted handwriting sheets and get my three sons started on their cursive practice. They groan, complain, and often need a moment for their ADHD medication to take effect before we can even begin. “I despise learning cursive,” my nine-year-old son Leo declares daily. “You have to learn it,” I respond, sounding like a strict taskmaster. “A surprising number of high schoolers can’t even read cursive anymore.”
There’s plenty of debate surrounding this topic, but we keep pushing through. After all, the Declaration of Independence and the Magna Carta are in cursive. I refuse to let my kids grow up unable to read these vital pieces of history. That’s a level of ignorance I simply can’t accept.
My children aren’t the only ones feeling this way. Sarah Jenkins, a third-grade teacher in a public school, expressed to The New York Times that including cursive in the curriculum feels nostalgic. She argues that we should focus on more modern skills, like typing and digital literacy. While I get her point, the fact remains: everyone needs a signature, and cursive is still a part of our world. It’s faster and more efficient than printing.
So, my kids are learning cursive, and I’m not swayed by Ms. Jenkins’ perspective.
Learning Cursive Requires Dedication
Sarah is right about one thing: mastering cursive takes time. We dedicate about twenty minutes each day to handwriting practice. I spend an extra forty minutes preparing their sheets, which have evolved from individual letters to quotes and poems.
I could use a textbook, but honestly, I haven’t gotten around to finding one. Do I need to provide guidance? Absolutely. It’s a challenging skill to learn. There are constant reminders like, “Stay on the bottom line,” and “O’s look like this.” Even with my middle son struggling with ADHD, I’ve patiently walked him through each letter. He’s nine and still finds it difficult, though he also has trouble with printing.
But I refuse to give up.
Why I Insist on Teaching Cursive
My eldest son, Max, manages to complete his handwriting sheets with relative ease. It’s impressive, especially since he has dysgraphia, which complicates his writing and spelling. While his printing resembles that of a kindergartener at age eleven, learning cursive has provided him a sense of achievement and a viable way to express himself.
My other two sons need cursive to navigate life as adults. When I create designs for T-shirts, I often use cursive fonts. Walking down the street, I encounter cursive signs everywhere. When I read foundational documents like the Declaration of Independence, I’m faced with cursive writing because Thomas Jefferson didn’t print in all-caps for our convenience.
It’s essential for being literate in today’s world. Cursive is a legitimate form of written English, and being able to read it is crucial. Picture a scenario where people struggle to understand the Declaration of Independence. It’s a beautiful document, yet they can’t grasp its powerful message: “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.” While we can discuss Jefferson’s intentions and flaws endlessly, the statement itself is undeniably significant.
So, my kids can grumble and throw fits all they want. Back in August, they struggled to form a cursive “A.” Now, just three months later, my seven-year-old wrote “Ariel’s Song” from Shakespeare’s The Tempest. It wasn’t perfect, and he didn’t always stay on the line, but he did it. They all have legal signatures.
One day they might complain that I insisted on teaching them cursive, claiming they never use it except for signing documents. At the very least, they’ll be capable of reading it.
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Summary:
This article discusses the importance of teaching cursive to children, despite perceptions of it being outdated. The author shares personal anecdotes about their sons’ struggles and triumphs with learning cursive, emphasizing its relevance for literacy and personal expression. The piece highlights that cursive remains a vital skill and connects to historical documents, making it essential for a well-rounded education.
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