My take is that cursive writing is primarily a tool. It joins letters so that when handwriting, you can write in a flow. It is basically quicker. A few years ago, I suffered an event which has affected my fine-motor coordination. As a result, I now find it very difficult to write cursively, and this severely hiders any note taking or writing by hand. Not only is this a problem for me (writing is slow & the results are ... 'erratic'), but it also creates the impression for others that 'I cannot write to a certain standard', and it is difficult for them to read. My cursive writing used to be very neat, flowing and something of which I was proud.

I now type (albeit slowly) and the results are fine (it serves its purpose), but I wish I still had this practical skill.  Most of my communications, written work etc. is by computer, but being able to jot things down, fill out forms, sit a handwritten exam etc. is something that cursive handwriting made easy. It also acts as a better representation of my abilities and intellect to others - It is difficult for them to reconcile why someone who is well published and supposedly 'clever' writes like a child, and my research journals and notes sometimes look as if they are written in some code or other script  ;-)

Yes, in the future, we may not have to do this, but that is a highly speculative stance. Go on holiday or visit a far-off country and the practices and technologies we take for granted may not be available. As a tool, cursive writing is useful and a way of expressing your individuality, so I think it is a good thing to learn. The same question is asked about basic maths, and even though we have calculators (and SPSS!) that can do the work more reliably, I don't see anyone suggesting taking these skills off the curriculum.

Should students 'master' it? As long as it is not being taught as a calligraphic art, then I feel they should reach a functional level in terms of the speed they write and the legibility of the output. It will prove useful in the future. The 'art' of writing is however not producing finely crafted letters, but structuring the composition. This goes for type, text and handwriting, so this aspect is very important. Overall, I think cursive writing is a tool which will help children transfer better to adulthood and produce better results in their adult life, so it should continue to be taught with this in mind.

... so much time in the school day, teachers don’t spend as much time on handwriting of any kind as they did 10 years ago....

http://www.mydaytondailynews.com/news/news/bill-would-make-schools-teach-cursive/nkpPw/

Hello Nicholas:

Thank you so much for your reply and input to my question. I admit that I am inclined to agree with you that cursive writing is a 'tool' that help develop individuality. As I am writing I am reminiscing that as a child, I would love to just sit and pretend to be writing cursive (as I am sure all children do) and I would make specific curves or slants that were no more than that of scribbles, yet to me, I was in the 'adult' world, simply because I was writing cursive.  

I do believe that children use this as a way and means of expressing themselves and how they perceive the world around them and that is the reason that I referred to cursive writing as an 'art,' as children are "creating" from their own inner thinking a way of 'being them' and developing a standard of 'gaining attention' or ' focus' upon themselves, by reaching out for acknowledgment from those in authority over them.

It is interesting to me that you did not miss your ability to write cursive until you lost it. This is indicative to me that perhaps not only is cursive writing a means of expressing oneself, moreover, it becomes part of the identity of the one who is using it, as they are the ones who created the specifics for the way the words are written on the paper by them.

May you be blessed abundantly in all your efforts in the future and I will keep you in my 'thoughts'.

Pastor Debbie

Ivo Carneiro de Sousa ;

Thank you for your response. I am intrigued  at your response of  "Here in China is something that you don't even ask since the cognitive and physical learning of Chinese characters is almost a transcendent religion and the key measure for evaluating a school."  I myself find it an creative way for children to express themselves and the world around them as well as part of the individuality of each person.

Pastor Debbie

Krishnan Umachandran;

Thank you for that very valuable resource. It enables me with a good start for future research and study of this seemingly very important study! Blessings!

I think cursive writing is not just writing. It is a way of learning reinforcement as well. 

Moreover, it is a creative thing belonging to the realm of art, passion, hobby etc. It should be taught as a creative passion. Where should the appreciation for beauty and goodness begin! Only at early stages and at the place of creativity.

Thanks.

Israr

Mohammad Israr Khan:

Thank you so much for you response. I, too, do believe that cursive writing is a way for one to use as a creative outlet, In addition, it can be instructed in a way to show the beauty of the letters and institute artistic value into the writer!

Blessings to you;

P. Debbie

"Here is the MANUSCRIPT of my article",

and this is the MANUSCRIPT of my book "

and this is a short note of my beloved

and this is a note in Spanish that my grandfather found on the ocean shore, sealed in a bottle.

We can not abandon the past - it is forever with us