Importance of cursive

Did you know that prior to 1940, most schools used the cursive-first approach to writing? Ball and stick manuscript wasn't introduced until the 1940s in the belief that it would assist children in recognizing letters in the Dick and Jane look-say readers.

As you know, cursive writing is introduced in Montessori education. Cursive is how a child will write for the rest of his or her life. As with other activities in the Children's House, we present materials in the most natural and efficient manner. Cursive letters, with their rounded edges, are actually much easier for children to form. If you have ever seen a very young child with pencil and paper, her first drawings are of circles and squiggles. Manuscript print requires greater motor coordination and causes difficulty determining "Where do I start the letter?"; "If it has two parts, when do I pick up my pencil?" and "Where does it go next?" and so on. Compared with manuscript, cursive letters are shaped differently, and so are easier to differentiate.

With cursive, the proper sequence of letters and the end of each word is much more prominent, since the child picks up the pencil only after the word is formed. This also helps the child orient to left-to-right, top-to-bottom writing. With the continuous movement from left to right, children do not reverse letters as easily. The hand is lighter in the flowing movement, so it does not tire so readily.

The fears expressed about this approach hindering a child from being able to recognize print in a book, as was the case in the 1940s, is just not a problem. As we often do, we are underestimating the abilities of children. Children quickly make the transition from writing cursive to readingprint. I see this happen every day. However, most often, children who begin writing in manuscript print can not read cursive writing.

The materials for writing in the Children's house lay the foundation for cursive writing. Any time they see the Guide write, it is in cursive. The sandpaper letters are in the cursive form. They are used to help the child become conscious of sounds in the spoken language and to help the child associate the sounds with the appropriate symbol by means of the visual, auditory and muscular senses. By tracing them, the child is indirectly preparing for writing.

Parents are always asking what they can do at home to support their child's learning in the Children's House. One way is to let your child see you writing in cursive. If they show an interest in writing and want you to write letters for them, do it in cursive. (We use the short vowel sounds and hard consonant sounds when making the letter sound.) Write your child's name in cursive.

Did you know?

How Montessori students approach reading and writing? The Montessori World Educational Institute provides an excellent primer. More . . .