Handwriting in the News

Computers and gadgets are great for children to experience, but remember to include handwriting instruction and regular practice in their day. Draw and write with your children—make it fun for both of you! This video was on our local news station last night:

A study is mentioned that found the following:

KING5 HealthLink, Good handwriting in children translates to good grades

Comments

[Mary R]

Interesting correlation. I'll be encouraging good writing and drawing skills with my grandkids. :) . Draw Your World will always be a great resource! Thank you, Kim!

[nancy]

Do we want children to do better on test scores or to be allowed to think creatively, critically and passionately about things. I think writing at that age is a waste of time when children can be hearing beautiful, rich stories to develop their love of language, digging in the mud and sand and kneading bread to develop their fine motor skills and offered lots of free time to dream up fantasies that will feed them throughout their lives.

This seems like a pretty limited study - in many ways. Handwriting for little ones? blah.

[Kim Stitzer]

Thanks, Nancy, for your thoughts. I agree that we want children to think creatively, critically and passionately about things, but I'm also a big fan of handwriting practice... as long as it's done in a fun, engaging way! I've known too many children who love "putting pencil to paper." They love writing time as much as the time spent making little villages out of small pine cones and rocks, stretching and poking Silly Putty, or making a tower of toothpicks. Devoting a little time to handwriting is simply part of the mix.