It is undeniable that now we live in a digital era where people, including school students, can just type and send or upload their written works instantly. So why bother trying to make handwriting nice and neat? Why do teachers still give reminders to students with messy handwriting?
Encouraging your child to practice good handwriting is really necessary. The reason is beyond the need to deliver visually clear written answers on an exam paper. Cognitively, practicing handwriting helps improve a child's language skills and reading fluency, it really supports the perception of letters. As it is more complex and engaging than typing, writing stimulates your child's thinking and motoric skills. Writing improves your child's memory as well, so when your child is learning a new concept or having good ideas, encourage him or her to write them down to create more lasting attachment. Still on the cognitive benefits, writing well sharpens your child's spatial ability, which is a unique kind of intelligence. Psychologically, a child who is able to produce good handwriting is likely to have high confidence in academic learning. Different from typed letters, good handwriting gives a sense of fulfillment to its owner, hence motivates your child to excel in general. Improving handwriting can contribute to a child's character building too. The activities of writing each letter in a neat, correct form and being mindful with spacing, spelling and punctuations develop orderliness, thoroughness, cautiousness, sensitivity and ability to manage emotions. These values are not available on a computer's keyboard.
You can start by showing examples of beautiful, eye-satisfying handwritten works and admire them together with your child. Of course, it is more beneficially motivating if one of the examples is your own handwriting. After that, do fun activities at home. You can write letters together to other family members. Ask your child to write a story for you, write on a greeting card or other duties that involve writing. Introduce them to creative writing, such as poetry and rhymes. Give feedback in the form of corrections and praises. Display your child's works to appreciate and give sense of pride. Other than stimulating your child's ability, these activities promote meaningful interactions between you and your child.
Suri Meidianshari
Principal of Sekolah Cita Persada Primary