Doctors have warned that overuse of electronic screens is leaving some children unable to hold a pen properly. But while learning as an adult is difficult, it’s not impossible. See article in The Guardian Education.
News
Here you can find news from the NHA and also links to international news about Handwriting.
National Handwriting Day – Winners!
We are pleased to announce the lucky prize draw winners for the NHA celebration of National Handwriting Day. The hamper was won by Hillingdon Manor School, West Drayton. The bag full of ‘goodies’ was won by Peover Superior Endowed Primary School in Cheshire. Thanks to everyone who took part in activities to celebrate the day, […]
Do we need to teach children joined-up handwriting?
The US state of Illinois has passed a law requiring school students to learn joined-up handwriting, or “cursive”, overriding the governor’s veto. It is no longer a requirement in US schools, and some countries have dropped the skill from the curriculum or made it optional. Read the story on BBC News.
Important changes to End of Key Stage Assessments (SATS)
The End of Key Stage Assessments for Writing last year (commonly known as SATs), included requirements for handwriting which caused widespread concern, especially in regard to joining. This year’s requirements appear to be more realistic, flexible and sympathetic to pupils with handwriting difficulties. See the Government Publications for details: Key Stage 1 Teacher Assessment FrameworksKey […]
Do children need good handwriting skills in the current digital age?
Over a quarter of UK primary school pupils aren’t able to join up a word and third of teachers say that handwriting standards are worsening. Watch discussion on Good Morning Britain.
Cursive Handwriting and Other Education Myths
Teaching cursive handwriting doesn’t have nearly the value we think it does. Read article by Philip Ball on Nautilus.
Cursive Handwriting in Reception – or not?
Blog article by Ruth Miskin What is cursive handwriting? ‘Cursive’ or ‘joined-up’ handwriting is any style of writing where letters are joined to make writing faster. Formal cursive joins all letters with strokes leading to and from each letter. Children are usually taught to join letters from the beginning. Casual cursive is a combination of […]
Why Handwriting Matters
It’s important to teach children how to write – especially in a keyboard world. Article in Gulf News.
Why Handwriting Is Still Essential in the Keyboard Age
Do children in a keyboard world need to learn old-fashioned handwriting There is a tendency to dismiss handwriting as a nonessential skill, even though researchers have warned that learning to write may be the key to, well, learning to write. Read article in the New York Times.
Is the writing on the wall for handwriting?
Handwriting is an anachronism, according to some. Finland and many American states have now dropped it from the curriculum. But many psychologists believe cursive writing still has an important role to play in cognitive development. So what’s the truth? We value the written word. Civilised societies do. It’s one of the defining features of human […]
Does Handwriting Have A Future?
Handwriting, according to some, is an anachronism. Finland has now dropped it from its national curriculum. And so many American states have also removed it as an educational requirement that it now only makes news when state officials opt to keep it. Read article and listen to podcast on RN’s Future Tense
NHA Gallery of young people’s handwriting
We have opened our Gallery of young people’s handwriting for National Stationery Week 27 April – 3 May 2015. View PDF of gallery samples.
