We are rapidly seeing the end to cursive writing, which many around the office aren’t exactly happy about, but I say good riddance. How often, outside of a classroom, do you read anyone else’s handwriting? Compare that to other people’s typing. If we can start teaching our kids to at least write legible Tweets that don’t use the N-word, then I say let the curly crap die.
Today, the Kansas Board of Education will decide on eliminating cursive writing from their schools, putting typing in its place. And thus they have accomplished something I never thought possible: Putting me in agreement with the Kansas Board of Education.
School districts across the country have already been making this transition, and it’s one that’s been a long time coming. In Hawaii, Indiana and Florida, districts have already completely done away with teaching cursive writing. In Pitt County, North Carolina, they will be taught print writing until the third grade, when they will go into typing. I didn’t even learn how to type until the fifth grade. And even then, I was taught wrong.
Experts say that although typing is very much necessary, “a legible signature” is still needed for daily life. And no, it isn’t. My signature is distinct, but it sure as hell ain’t legible. They’ve also said that hand writing and reading your writing helps with fine motor skills, which yeah, but no one’s saying get rid of print writing. While writing lessons have, over time, decreased, which shouldn’t happen, print writing does the same stuff to your brain as cursive.
Besides, if you want your kid to learn cursive writing, you can do so very easily. It’s all over the Internet. Thirty seconds of searching and I found this:
Boom. Go learn your curly letters.
Question: Am I being too rough on cursive?
