Some might argue that since the dawn of the computer, the need to formally write has become a thing of the past. Letters to family or friends are now emails and text messages. Absent notes from parents explaining why their child wasn’t at school are now simple phone calls.
When I was going to school, cursive writing was part of the curriculum. On the first day of a brand new school year, I remember being issued a staple saddle stitched pink Hilroy exercise workbook.
You remember those don’t you?
Inside, distinct horizontal solid red lines. Each set of lines divided by a dashed blue line. The red lines reminded children to write within them, but also guide them while writing uppercase letters. The dashed blue line reminded children that lowercase letters were only half the height of uppercase letters and therefore should not exceed the line.
While in school, each cursive writing lesson began with an introduction to a new letter of the alphabet. The teacher would write the letter on the blackboard (Yes, there was such a thing). A loop here, a line there and voila! The letter of the day.
After the lesson, the teacher would have the class practice writing the newly learned letter five times in our Hilroy notebooks. She would walk the class and examine each child’s abilities and help them correct their errors.
Unfortunately today, cursive writing is no longer a mandatory part of the curriculum and children are struggling to write their own name.
To help your child with their cursive writing, download our cursive writing activity sheet and practise, practise, practise… The benefits will improve their development.
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