Education By Incubation, Mrs. Gable’s First Graders At Lake Forest Park Elementary School (1956) / Photo by Nat Farbman / LIFE
Cursive handwriting is an important skill that students should acquire. Although schools across the United States have largely forgotten its importance and abandoned its practice, its benefits remain true nonetheless. Just like other beneficial skills, however, it requires perseverance, hard work, and patience. Of course, the process does not have to be unbearable for both teachers and students. Some cursive programs out there have shared guidelines for a more efficient and fruitful instruction, so students not only learn cursive correctly but have a rewarding experience as well. Here are some ideas that you can use when teaching cursive writing:
1. Pencil Grip.
Especially for those who are struggling with finger control or placement, pencil grips are very helpful. Even if the child does not struggle with handwriting, pencil grips can aid him in habitually holding the pen correctly. There are plenty of options to choose from, and parents can weigh the pros and cons of each to find the suitable one for their children. Some samples are found here: Pencil Grip, Firesara Pencil Grip, Booshow Pencil Grip, Mr. Pen Pencil Grip, Pencil Grip.
2. Verbal Pathways.
Sometimes it is easier for young pupils to learn the material through verbalization. Often they do not know the correct cursive formation by simply copying the letters, and it is therefore very helpful to give them verbal instructions. The use of language in these lessons strengthens not only the child’s handwriting but also his knowledge of letter-sound correlation. With this technique, teachers verbalize the proper direction or path of a letter while forming each one in front of the student. For example, the phrase a teacher can use for forming the cursive letter “a” is “start at 1 o’clock. Go around, up, down & exit.” When verbal pathways are used, one must also remember to set up reference points, which should help students easily identify starting points and different lines. There are various verbalizations available out there. However, it is crucial that the exact wording one uses is consistent throughout the writing instruction. Such regularity avoids possible confusion and speeds up the learning process. Verbalization is no longer needed when the child can form the letters effortlessly. Here are some verbal cues that you can use: PAF Program, Pearson School, Zaner-Bloser.
3. Checklists.
It is necessary to teach letter formation correctly, as students can easily acquire bad habits which are difficult to curb. Since there are many points to consider, such as letter size, neatness, margins, slant, and direction, it is convenient to have a checklist outlining the necessary guidelines for cursive handwriting. Parents and teachers can customize their own, but here are online examples of a Letter Formation Checklist and Handwriting Behaviors Checklist that parents can use in their student assessment.
4. Consistency in Teaching.
Consistency in instruction and application contributes significantly to a child’s handwriting success. Instructions on cursive letter formation and its prerequisites (such as posture, paper position, names of lines, reference points, etc.) should be very clear and uniform at all times across every grade. Expectations should also be clearly defined, as surprises or irregularity can affect a child’s performance and understanding of the subject matter. Besides everyday practice—preferably 15 minutes of good, meaningful writing at least—an unchanging teaching method helps a child acquire the skill proficiently. The process is smoother, and the outcome better.
Hopefully, these ideas can help you in your handwriting instruction. Cursive may seem very difficult for teachers to teach and students to learn. However, with the right tools and proper plan implemented consistently, a child will succeed in this endeavor and take pride in his work.