Is handwriting important?

As a sixth-grade English teacher, I give a resounding "yes" to that question. Handwriting is important for a number of reasons:

1. Word recognition that is too laborious for students may impair reading comprehension or it may reduce the mental resources available for learning more advanced material. Handwriting can have the same drain on mental resources.

2. Handwriting is a basic tool needed for many subjects--taking notes, taking tests, and doing assignments for any class--and the lack of good handwriting skills can have a pervasive effect on school performance.

3. When handwriting is arduous and time-consuming, motivation to write may be greatly reduced, which leads to a lack of practice that may further compound difficulties with writing.

4. Handwriting in the earliest grades is linked to basic reading and spelling achievement.

Melissa Reese Etheridge
for
Literacy Speakes Volumes