Handwriting or typing? That is the question of the decade.
Do you remember sitting in a classroom at the beginning of each school year and being asked to write that dreaded journal entry?
You know the one I mean…..
What did you do over summer break?
You would sit and think about it for a while, truly reminiscing on what a great(or boring) summer you’d just had.
Then you would start writing. Writing whatever was in your heart. The words would come pouring out you would get lost in memories; carefully forming and feeling each word as you wrote it. You truly connected to what you were writing.
Sadly, not many children today are creating these same memories.
Today, it is rare for our children to truly write from their hearts. They are missing out on frantically trying to capture each emotion and transform it into words or stories using pen and paper.
Instead, our children are tapping on a screen; feeling no connection whatsoever to the words that they are mindlessly typing.
Think about it…
When was the last time your child asked you for a pen and some paper?
If your children are anything like mine, they will more likely ask to use a phone or tablet.
Is handwriting still important?
The brain engages differently when we write something by hand instead of typing it or simply tapping a screen.
When you type the words “the” “dog”, do you visualize a dog?
Just typing these words or tapping them on a screen does not help us to form a connection to the words.
With reading comprehension and literacy levels on the decline, I cannot help but feel that this lack of handwriting is at least partially to blame.
Handwriting or typing?
It is such a difficult question.
Computer and typing skills are extremely important for our youth to learn. However, these skills should not usurp the importance of handwriting for our children today.
Both handwriting and typing have a place in today’s educating of our children. The difficult decision is when to focus on handwriting or typing.
I’m going to focus here on handwriting.
Some simple ways to encourage more handwriting in our children.
- Gift your child a blank journal or notebook and some special pens (remember those fun ones with 4 different colors in each pen?).
- Set out some stationery and encourage your child, no matter their age, to write a letter to someone. While they’re at it, why not pen one yourself too?
I recently received a letter in the mail from a good friend, and it completely melted my heart. It meant so much to me. I also realized how long it has been since I’d received a handwritten note, besides the obligatory Christmas cards, although even those have been declining in numbers each year. This letter meant so much more to me than a quick text or message would have, even though it took a little more effort on her part. - Help your child find a pen pal.
When my children were younger, they each had a handful of pen pals. It was so much fun for all of us to hear about where these people were from. Plus, my children learned good, old-fashioned letter-writing skills and the importance of written communication. - Writing activities can make handwriting enjoyable for our children.
Younger children love forming letters in shaving cream or pudding. All age children can practice making lists, or writing on windows(only their own and with permission of course).
My 12 yr old wrote all over his big brother’s car as a birthday surprise. Needless to say, my older son was touched, and my 12 yr old loved practicing his handwriting! - Group stories.
These can be a lot of fun. Everyone, even parents or other adults, sits around with a notebook. The first person writes a sentence and then passes the notebook to the next person, who then writes a sentence. This activity can continue for as long as it’s enjoyable, or with a set time limit. Reading the story out loud at the end can sure be a lot of fun! - Games! I’m a big fan of incorporating games into life as often as possible.
Games such as Hangman, Boggle Jr, Tic Tac Toe, Balderdash, and Scattergories are all favorites in my home. - Poetry. This has always been one of my personal favorite subjects to work on with my children. I go more into depth here: https://learningisawayoflife.com/poetry-with-children/
Handwriting or typing?
Studies have proven that handwriting improves memory and retention, thus helping our children’s ability to learn.
Although both handwriting and typing need to have a place in our children’s education, encouraging handwriting as often as possible will serve your children well.
