Why you should encourage handwriting in kids

In the highly digitized world that we live in, typing on keyboards has almost made handwriting a lost tradition. Rapid growth in technology and our ever-increasing reliance on digital media have questioned the relevance of handwritten material altogether. It’s a known fact that in the age of biometrics and digital displays, handwriting has been sidelined. But it should not be discarded altogether. Handwriting comes with its own set of benefits. It expresses the personality of the writer and improves cognitive development while boosting a child’s knowledge of sentence construction and spelling naturally without the aid of autocorrect.  

Writing shapes human cognition in more ways than one from a very young age. It has determined hand-brain connectivity for several years and in multiple fields. Writing information affects the way children perceive language and its essence. Research suggests that the practice of longhand note-taking triggers more efficient brain activity than a stylus or keypad ever will. The primary reason behind this is that using pen and paper renders the brain into comprehending understandable information, while a digital text tempts the brain to perceive the information as it is. Here is why your little learner must engage in handwriting. 

Boosts brainpower 
The act of writing down thoughts and expressions on paper compels our brain to form well-composed sentences instead of typing out pre-determined ideas present in the digital system. Writing by hand creates more activity in the sensorimotor parts of the brain. A lot many senses get activated during motions of the fingers to hands by holding a pen. These senses then make connections between various areas of the brain, thereby opening it up for better learning and innovation.  

Improves motor skills 
There is no denying that typing on a keyboard or directly tapping a touch-screen is faster and more convenient, but faster is not always better. The intricate hand movements while writing, on the other hand, develops control over the motor skills in children. Visual-motor skills such as hand-eye coordination are crucial for academic development.  

Enhances memory 
Students who create their notes or study material through the act of writing are more likely to remember them when compared to digital notes. Reading and then writing it on paper makes the mind process the information twice. On a computer or smartphone, constant prompts from the device make the child follow a set pattern without making mistakes or rewriting, thereby, retaining less of it. 

Revs up confidence 
Handwriting is like a mirror to a child’s personality. When a child engages in mindful writing, the cursive form, speed, and expression reflect the child’s interest in the writing material. An aware focused, and a motivated student may write in beautiful handwriting that will enhance their confidence. Handwriting also builds a flow of thought over keypad typing. 

How to encourage handwriting  
Teachers can develop a curriculum that is a combination of written and digital knowledge. Engage students to submit written assignments. Forming writing groups can be a good idea.  Gifting kids with letter pads and diaries and encouraging them to have pen pals and journal their thoughts in the diary can be a good way for parents to encourage handwriting. Also, use everyday opportunities to motivate your kids to write. Take their help in creating a hand-written grocery shopping list or encouraging them to write on a greeting card are good options.