As an adult, I find myself using cursive only when signing receipts—yep, that’s about it. Sure, I’ve been told that mastering cursive is crucial for deciphering historical documents like the Declaration of Independence, but hey, that’s why we have the internet and digital fonts like Helvetica, right?
I remember my own struggles with cursive back in second grade. Growing up during the D’Nealian craze meant I had to learn it not once, but twice. While I’ve heard that writing by hand engages different areas of the brain, research shows that it doesn’t really matter whether it’s cursive or print. Science is still a thing, no matter what some folks in power might say.
I know there are calligraphers out there who might roll their eyes at my stance, but there are countless other things I’d prefer my child to focus on during their precious time at school rather than cursive writing. Here are a few priorities I have in mind:
- Writing Clearly in Print: Let’s get the basics down first. If my fourth-grader is any indication, we need to nail spelling too. I refuse to let my kid enter the world without knowing when to use “their,” “they’re,” and “there.”
- Burning Off Energy: I want my kids to return home tired. Tired kids eat dinner without fuss and go to bed without me threatening to issue a restraining order. A little running around never hurt anyone!
- Meditation Skills: Yes, I’m talking about calming down. I just spent a weekend crammed in a car with my kids, and let me tell you, I might need some meditation myself.
- Artistic Expression: Let them get messy with paint and glitter at school, please! I’d rather not deal with the aftermath of their creative endeavors at home.
- Recorder Practice: If they must learn an instrument, let’s do it at school so I don’t have to endure the sounds of a thousand tortured souls coming from their room at dinner time.
- Science Projects: Can we make it a rule that these happen in school? I’d like to avoid the hours of my involvement, blood, sweat, and curse words.
- Social Skills: Figuring out friendships is essential. Eventually, they’ll need to leave and live with someone else, right?
- History Lessons: Understanding the past is crucial, so we don’t repeat it—let’s avoid those mistakes!
- Storytelling: With all the chatter in our home, they could write their own stories for hours without breaking a sweat.
- Signature Forgery: If they don’t learn cursive, it’ll be much harder for them to forge my signature in high school. #Winning!
While I understand that cursive may be beneficial for some learners, like those with dyslexia, it’s time to prioritize what truly matters. Let’s focus on physical fitness, creativity, and music instead. Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.
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Summary
In the grand scheme of priorities for children’s education, learning cursive writing pales in comparison to mastering basic print, physical activity, creative expression, and social skills. While cursive may have its place, it’s essential to focus on skills that contribute to overall well-being and future success.