Portland Tribune – Dr. Suzanne Baruch Asherson
“This past weekend, educators from more than 30 Oregon and Washington schools came together to learn how to teach handwriting, at a workshop called “Handwriting Without Tears.” Yes, you read that right. Handwriting. One of the skills they were learning is how to teach cursive handwriting — and why it’s still important in today’s classrooms, and beyond…Numerous studies have shown that children with good handwriting are better, more creative writers, they feel more confident and proud of their work, and legible written work receives higher grades…I know, you’re thinking — OK, handwriting is important, but why cursive?…the act of writing in cursive leads to strong physical and emotional benefits and stimulates the brain like nothing else, even in today’s digital age. The act of writing in cursive uses both the right and left hemispheres of the brain simultaneously which helps build pathways in the brain while improving mental effectiveness. Studies also show that learning to write in cursive can boost brain development in the areas of thinking, language and working memory.”(more)