The Hidden Benefits of Cursive Writing

When you look at cursive strictly from a practical point of view, it's easy to wonder if it's necessary anymore. After all, we live in a world where paper is becoming less and less critical. But the truth is, there are some very real, very practical benefits to learning cursive.

For one thing, writing in cursive engages both sides of the brain. Studies where researchers have hooked sensors to kids’ brains show striking results: cursive lights up more areas of the brain than either printing or typing. This increased brain activity helps with memory and focus, meaning students are more likely to retain what they are writing.

There is also a strong connection between cursive and motor skills. If you've watched a young child learning to print, you've probably seen them reverse their b’s and d’s, or struggle with letters that have loops. This often relates to dysgraphia, a difficulty with writing. Interestingly, studies show that kids who learn cursive early are much less likely to have these issues. The continuous motion of cursive helps train the brain and hand to work together more smoothly.

But the benefits don't stop there. Cursive writing can actually make your child a better speller. As a child writes, they sound out words and connect letters to reinforce phonics skills. This multisensory approach helps kids understand word construction, supporting reading and writing development. And once children master cursive, they can write much faster than with block printing—a huge advantage for note-taking or quickly getting thoughts onto paper.

When I was in school, my teachers always said, “Her brain works faster than her hand.” I see the same thing with students today. Many dislike writing by hand because block printing is slow and tedious. Cursive, on the other hand, allows thoughts to flow more freely onto the page. Of course, like any skill, it takes practice to master. But once it becomes automatic, it is a joy to use.

Maria Montessori, the founder of the Montessori method, argued that children should learn cursive before printing. She believed the flowing motion of cursive was more natural for young children, helping them develop fine motor skills more easily. She even said kids as young as four could learn cursive with just 15 minutes of daily practice. It's an interesting idea supported by much current research.

While cursive seems old-fashioned, it's a powerful tool for learning and development. In the next post, I'll discuss why cursive fell out of favor in schools and how you can bring it back into your child’s education.