READY TO WRITE!

Isn’t it interesting that “handwriting” is barely mentioned in most state standards? Brain research emphasizes the role of speaking and writing in terms of learning, but is typing a key really as powerful as actually writing a letter? This is an excellent article where neuroscientists and psychologists point out that the act of actually “forming letters with a writing implement provides indispensable cognitive advantages over its digital shortcut…”

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/03/science/whats-lost-as-handwriting-fades.html

You’ve watched your own students compose letters and you know how totally focused they are. You can almost see their brains firing away as they wiggle their tongues and try to reproduce letters. Studies are showing what you’ve known all along - much more of the brain is activated when children actually write by hand. Additionally, research is suggesting that writing by hand might also enable them to express more ideas.

Everything old is new again!! Traditional tasks like writing spelling words, working out math problems by hand, and copying sight words on paper might actually improve retention better than typing on a keyboard. Imagine that!!!!

Handwriting, like any skill, takes time and it takes practice. I love this quote because it reminds me that we need to keep “watering” children and providing them with opportunities to learn and grow.

Children are like flowers.

You never know when they are going to bloom,

But you just keep watering them!!

                                  
Check out my website (drjean.org) today for multi-sensory activities, songs, videos, and practical techniques for nurturing handwriting.