A Guide for Cursive Handwriting: The Why, When, & How
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
Your pen didn’t lie. When we asked our webinar attendees to jot down favorite foods, most of them instinctively blended print and cursive. It’s faster, more efficient - even if it’s not always pretty. Find out why cursive handwriting remains a critical, research-backed skill, even as many schools start to phase it out.
Watch the full webinar recording, or read through the summary below.
Why Cursive Handwriting Still Matters (And How to Teach It Right)
Cursive handwriting is not just "old-fashioned", there are several evidence-based benefits that can make it a powerful tool in a child's handwriting development.
Faster & Less Taxing
Fewer pencil lifts = smoother flow. Cursive connects letters in one motion, making note-taking quicker than print once students become fluent in it. For kids with dysgraphia, this reduces fatigue. The controlled spacing (one natural break per word) and consistent baseline starts eliminate guesswork.
Supports Dyslexia & Dysgraphia
The fluid motion minimizes letter reversals (like b/d confusion). For dyslexic students, cursive’s is shown to improve spelling as students can consider words as a whole unit. For dysgraphia, it lessens fatigue and decreased demands on pencil control.
Key Reality Check for Cursive Handwriting: 70% of U.S. schools no longer teach cursive. Yet kids still need to read historical documents and handwritten notes. "If schools won’t teach it, parents must seek outside help," Kelli urges.
When to Teach Cursive: Timing Made Simple
Forget rigid age rules. Our golden standard: teach cursive handwriting when print skills are stable, not perfect.
For most students, introducing cursive in late 2nd or early 3rd grade is ideal. By then print foundations should be solid and visual-motor and fine motor skills more mature. For those struggling with print, you shouldn't wait for their print to be legible or automatic as cursive may actually be easier for them, or at the very least provide a different output for struggling writers. Even middle and high schoolers who were never taught cursive can learn! Every summer we teach older students during our cursive handwriting camps and as Kelli says "It’s never too late!"
If your child avoids writing due to fatigue or frustration, cursive could be the solution - not another hurdle.
How to Teach Cursive Handwriting: Our Proven Framework
At Handwriting Solutions, we blend science and occupational therapy principles with practical tools. Our top tips:
Step 1: Build Foundational Skills
Strengthen pencil control with curved-line tracing (e.g., "rainbow roads" or "cursive snakes").
Use multi-sensory practice: Write letters in sand, with sidewalk chalk, or finger-trace on textured paper.
Download our Multisensory Handwriting Guide for 15 practice ideas!
Step 2: Use the Right Program
Handwriting Without Tears®, Size Matters, Loops and Other Groups, and the list goes on. The program is up to you, but our advice is to adapt it for your child).
We like starting with Handwriting Without Tears cursive because there is no slanting: straight-up letters simplify learning (add "flourishes" later).
Finding a curriculum that implements letter grouping, where learning starts with easier lines → builds to complex formations.
A good program also integrates some cross-curricular fun: writing about science/history, not just repetitive drills.
Step 3: Practice Strategically
Direct instruction: You model → child imitates → guided practice → independent use.
Embed cursive everywhere: grocery lists, birthday cards, journal entries. If they learned it, use it daily!
The Real Goal? Making Cursive Useful! Cursive handwriting isn’t about perfect loops... it’s about giving kids a tool they’ll actually use. When your child chooses to blend cursive into real life (like jotting a quick note) they’ve won. That’s efficiency. That’s confidence.
Your Next Step
Don’t wait for schools to catch up. Whether your 8-year-old struggles with print or your teen can’t read grandma’s letters:
1️⃣ Assess readiness: Can they write their name smoothly in print?
2️⃣ Start small: Teach 2–3 letters this week.
3️⃣ Make it stick: Use cursive for one daily task (e.g., writing dinner menu).
Cursive handwriting isn’t a relic - it’s a lifeline. For kids with learning differences, it’s often the key to unlocking smoother, faster, less stressful writing. In a world of keyboards, the pen still holds power.
Need support in this? Book a free consultation to see how we can set your child up for cursive success.
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