WHY CURSIVE 1ST

Why We Teach Cursive First

Private School | Year-Round Education | Montessori-Certified Staff

Private School
Year-Round Education
Montessori-Certified Staff

Children Enjoy Learning to Write in the Cursive Style

We began teaching the cursive-first method of writing in the summer of 2005 at Montessori Learning Center and have found without exception that it is far easier for even the youngest children to learn!

Children are fascinated with writing cursive and will work with far more determination and for longer periods of time to write in this beautiful and easier way. Less tears! More joy! We are sold.

Once again, the children showed us how learning can be a joy! Cursive writing is fun! It is a joy! All we can say is wow!

Learn the Advantages of Teaching Cursive First

Research indicates that the challenge offered by the motor learning activities actually helps the brain learn how to get its various structures to work together more efficiently as it processes symbolic language.

Cursive offers the kind of motor-learning activity that stimulates the brain to build pathways for better reading, writing and yes, later on, keyboarding.

It is easier for the young child to learn!
Does not have to be ‘unlearned’ at a later time
Cursive writing involves a flowing, uninterrupted movement which reinforces the left-to-right directionality of our written language
Teaches words as a cohesive unit
Cursive or connected writing allows for the continuous flow of thought and for thinking ahead while writing
Cursive reinforces the beginning and ending of words, with proper spacing of letters
Since all lower-case letters start from the same beginning point, the confusion resulting in reversals or inversions is eliminated
By joining letters, cursive writing reinforces the blending of sounds within words

Know the Disadvantages of Teaching Cursive Later

Studies show that the transition to cursive in the 3rd grade causes writing speed and legibility to revert to 1st-grade levels.

Students resent having to learn another method
Studies show that most who are taught manuscript first revert back to manuscript or a blend after 3rd grade
Students often fail to complete the transition process to cursive and this affects the ability to read cursive
Printing causes segmentation, which makes the muscles stiffen up rather than letting a nice flowing rhythm develop

Read more information about the importance of learning to write.