From the moment we first grip a pencil and press its tip to a piece of paper, we embark on a lifelong relationship with handwriting. Early in our childhood, teachers and parents teach us to apply deliberate strokes and create letters that aren’t just legible but also neat and elegant. And, with this, we learn the importance of good handwriting.
The importance of handwriting for students transcends aesthetics. It harnesses their accomplishments, personal growth, skills, and success. You might be surprised by how much handwriting still influences learning, thinking, and expression. Let us find out why.
Read further to discover the importance of handwriting-
Good handwriting requires effort. Students must focus and throw coordinated movements on paper. This drill helps to improve hand-eye coordination and refines the movements of hand and finger muscles.
The improved motor skills help in carrying out several day-to-day functions, such as typing and using a keyboard, using tools, dressing, playing sports, juggling, playing musical instruments, drawing and painting, and later, driving.
Several studies have established a relationship between good handwriting and cognitive skills. When students form letters and words, certain regions of the brain work simultaneously, such as the visual cortex (for visual processing), primary motor cortex (for motor control), and structures responsible for memory formation and retrieval. This essential workout boosts brain functions and enhances memory, attention, and language.
Some studies have revealed that regular handwriting practice arrests cognitive decline.
The swift movements of hands on paper require concentration. When students work on improving their handwriting, they do not entertain distractions and channel all their energy and focus on their hand movements.
It not only helps in boosting their focus and concentration but also enhances learning, information retention, and recall ability.
The importance of good handwriting lies in the fact that it is directly proportional to learning and accomplishments.
In most of the schools (with an English curriculum) in India, writing plays a central role in learning. Students grasp knowledge through transcriptions and dictations, which allows them to connect their thoughts and ideas and explain them on paper.
Students with good writing skills find it easier to adapt to writing-based learning. It furnishes greater accomplishments in academics.
Writing-based learning enriches the learning process. When students take notes by hand, they listen, process, and rephrase the information in their words. This approach bridges the gap between listening and thinking.
The more students write, the more they learn. In a way, writing regularly not only improves handwriting but also improves the overall learning process.
Understanding handwriting importance and working on improving it is crucial because good handwriting helps in examinations.
In almost every school in India, assessments are based on written examinations. And, as written examinations are time-based, poor handwriting becomes the biggest setback.
Students with fast and legible handwriting are always at an advantage in time-based written assessments. Their intense and active cognitive and motor skills allow them to jot everything down clearly. Their legible handwriting makes a good impression on examiners and allows them to assess their skills.
Students with good handwriting are always at an advantage in schools.
Compared to typing, writing, being relatively slow, gives students an opportunity to keep the information in their brains for a longer time and conjure up ideas. The time spent dealing with the information (time between absorbing information and putting it on paper) makes them more enlightened.
Moreover, when they write, they often face situations where they have to choose an appropriate word or expression. It hones their creativity and critical thinking skills.
Students with good handwriting feel pleased with their work. They take pleasure in flaunting their efforts and brim with confidence. This enhanced confidence is also reflected in their text-based communication. They easily manage to put their thoughts in a clear and precise way on paper.
It empowers them and gives a boost to their self-esteem. This confidence takes them a long way.
Academic therapists swear by cursive writing in dealing with students with dyslexia. As pupils with dyslexia find it difficult to recognize disjointed writing in text, learning becomes more challenging for them. Here, cursive writing comes to their rescue.
The fluidity of letters in cursive writing allows dyslexic students to write with a flow. They find it easier to recognize, write, and understand letters and words in cursive writing.
Handwriting contributes to improved learning for dyslexic students.
Many students channel their feelings into their words. They often feel relieved after writing their thoughts, whether emotional, confused, anxious, or depressed, on a piece of paper. Students who don’t find it challenging to write are always better at releasing their internal conflicts through writing.
It clears their brain and relieves anxiety and depression.
Now that you know the importance of handwriting for students, let us share some easy and efficient tips with you to improve your handwriting. Here they are-
A good grip determines how smoothly letters flow on the paper. Hence, maintain a good grip while writing. Gripping loosely will make your fingers slip leading to messy and slow writing. On the other hand, gripping tightly can cause fatigue, discomfort, and even cramps.
Try to establish a balanced grip for better control, flow, and consistent writing. ‘
Whenever you write, sit upright on the chair, keep your shoulder straight and relaxed, and place your feet flat on the surface. Adjust your desk and chair to a comfortable height.
Sit in a place with minimum distractions and focus on each letter you make. Give yourself time to form letters slowly on the paper.
Take some time every day to work on your handwriting. Regular practice will not only improve your writing but also your speed.
Never rush the writing process. Pay attention to the details of each letter- their size, slant, strokes, baseline, and other technical details.
In the age and time where students are more accustomed to typing on laptops, traditional pen-and-paper writing is fading. However the importance of handwriting for students still remains relevant. From taking notes to writing exams, handwriting stays significant in the formal qualification system.
So, acknowledge the importance of good handwriting and use these tips to hone your handwriting skills.
