Writing Lessons

Cursive makes a comback:

Researchers from the University of Washington and other institutions found the practice boosts spelling, reading comprehension and idea generation. Educational psychology professor Virginia Berninger said, “Writing is the way we learn what we’re thinking… The handwriting, the sequencing of the strokes, engages the thinking part of the mind.” Woman overcomes homelessness to earn degree Other studies say cursive enhances memory and fine motor skills, and promotes brain development. According to the National Education Association, researchers did find that those who used laptops were able to take more notes, and note-takers were much slower and had to paraphrase. However, they did note that writing everything down allows individuals to recall more information. 24 states now require cursive lessons As of 2025, there are 24 states that require cursive lessons, which is up from 14 states less than a decade ago. From California to Alabama, some states start as early as third grade, and others by fifth grade. States like Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Florida are moving in that direction with new legislation on the table. It’s a significant shift from about a decade ago, when cursive started to fade away from curricula around the country.

What's old is written again...