Teachers are amazing actors. They’ll win the Oscars effortlessly if they switch to acting.
No, seriously, I mean it.
You’ve no idea what goes on inside their heads when talking to an ‘all knowing’ parent!
When I pointed out that the child needed to focus on improving her handwriting, the mother’s prompt response was that that was unnecessary as the child would be typing more than writing by hand in the higher grades.
And she had the audacity to proudly state that her daughter knows the QWERTY layout and can type messages like a pro! Mind you, we’re talking about the competence of a 7 year old.
There was so much I wanted to say to her, hold her by her shoulders and shake some sense into her coiffured head.
But all I did was sit there, nodding my head with a useless smile pasted across my face.
That’s when I decided to get it done myself. I’d walk around the class with any eraser and get the child to rewrite if the handwriting was not up to mark or the work not neatly done.
After a few days, the kids understood the work at hand and worked hard to get a star or smiley.
There’s a reason (actually there are many reasons) why it’s important to focus on handwriting.
1. Handwriting as Brainpower Booster
When you get the child to write something, it engages multiple brain functions. From improving their focus and memory, to developing critical thinking.
Writing by hands strengthens their neural pathways that aid in learning and retention.
2. Better Writing = Better Grades
By writing the words, they learn the spellings better. That improves their reading, sentence formation and comprehension.
It helps them to express their ideas clearly.
3. Stronger Fingers, Smarter Kids
The exercise of writing builds their muscles, improving their dexterity and strengthening their finger muscles to enhance their overall motor control.
Basic activities like tying their shoe laces (another dying skill) or using cutlery become easier to deal with.
4. Learning About the Essential Life Skills
They learn the essential 3Ps – patience, precision and perseverance.
It teaches them the value of practicing consistently, fosters patience and improves their attention to detail.
5. Watch Confidence and Self-Esteem Grow
Every time one of them got a star or a smiley, it built their confidence. They would proudly show off before the rest of the class.
Good handwriting helps children take pride in their work, makes them feel competent and motivated. This helps them with their academic work now, and later too!
6. Roadmap to Creativity
Each child has their own unique style of writing. This individuality is their creative expression.
Writing by hand makes them feel connected to their thoughts and emotions. It enhances their storytelling and imaginative thinking.
7. Organised Thoughts Leads to Better Learning
Children learn to organise their thoughts better and arrange their ideas logically when writing by hand.
It also helps them develop note-taking habits, which is essential as they go up in grades. Or even later at work.
8. Creating a Lasting Impression and Personal Identity
Handwriting is a reflection of one’s personality. A neat, clear handwriting reflects clarity of thought, confidence and discipline.
In my class, students with good handwriting often excelled academically and took greater pride in their work.
How to Develop Handwriting Skills in Children
Children will develop a good handwriting but it will happen if the adults around them prioritise it.
Sadly, majority of the parents ignore the skill, like that mother.
So before expecting the kids to churn out work of calligraphic standards, its essential for the adults to understand and accept its importance in their child’s development.
Get them to practice handwriting daily. Think of innovative ways to make it interesting.
- Use fun engaging activities like letter tracing books, or writing on a chalkboard or whiteboard, or even finger painting letters.
- Encourage slow and controlled writing. Use a lined or graph paper to help with letter alignment.
- Have fun writing exercises like get them to write a story, a joke or even a poem.
- Ask them to write personal thank-you notes or messages on birthday cards. Or even your grocery list.
- Get some colourful, wider pencils to improve their grip.
- Use stickers as incentive or reward charts to track their progress.
Absolutely essential – do not make handwriting practice look like a chore. It’ll become counterproductive. Children will lose interest.
Conclusion
Handwriting is more than just letters on a page; it’s a fingerprint of one’s personality.
It’s about shaping focus, discipline and confidence.
The pride they take in their writing today will translate into the way they approach learning , work and life tomorrow.
So if you want to teach your child the essential life skills, it begins with them knowing to write clearly.
Unintentionally, they develop confidence and positive work ethics.
For those who use the excuse that writing by hand slows down thinking, it’s just that – an excuse. It actually strengthens clarity and creativity.
Don’t fall for that.
Work with your child to develop a handwriting that reflects their personality, their growth over the years.
Take 5 minutes today to sit with your child and write something together. It can be anything, a silly note to each other, a joke, a things-to-do-together list. You’ll be surprised how much it helps!
Write, think, and grow, one word at a time!
