In the digital world that we live in today, there are many online applications that make learning easier. Cursive is suggested to improve the reading and writing abilities of affected learners as not only is it good for speed writing, it has also been shown to improve brain development in areas of thinking, language, and working memory. In this way, cursive seems to benefit children with symptoms of dyslexia and helps them learn and grow in reading and writing aspects. 

The link between cursive and dyslexia: What does research suggest?

Major symptoms of dyslexia include difficulties with reading, writing, spelling, and oftentimes even understanding certain words. When it comes to writing, affected learners find it quite tough to spell words correctly, or write even simple words like bat, mat, and so on. It is hard for them to recognize letters that look slightly similar in their structure such as ‘b’ ‘d’ ‘q’ ‘p’. It has been found that writing in cursive is related to dyslexia in a manner that turns out to be beneficial for those suffering from it. 

Studies^[1] indicate that there are deficits in visual-spatial abilities in reading and writing in children who suffer from dyslexia, which contributes negatively to their learning process and affects their education. Due to this, writing regular words may be troublesome. In this situation, practicing cursive could help as its format makes children write and produce letters in one particular direction which leaves fewer opportunities to get confused between left and right indentations. 

Researchers^[2] have found that all students benefit from learning handwriting. A study^[3] done in July 2020, by researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology showed that, despite the drastic and major shift to remote learning and so much more time spent on screens and keyboards, children and adults still benefit from writing in cursive^[4].

Cursive handwriting – Any benefit for dyslexics?

There are various benefits that practicing writing in cursive serves for learners with dyslexia as listed below. 

1. Improves speed, aids memory, and helps distinguish letters

The British Dyslexia Association^[5] suggests that the continuous flow of cursive writing eventually improves writing speed. Along with that, it can also help learners with dyslexia distinguish easily confused letters such as “b”, “d”, “p”, and “q”. This is substantiated by the idea that since their hands develop a physical memory of the continuous and connected letters while writing, they can more consistently and correctly reproduce shapes. This leaves fewer opportunities to get confused with directionality. 

Children also find it easy to remember when they write the letters multiple times regularly. In addition to that, words in cursive writing become a single unit, rather than a collection of disconnected strokes which helps to ensure that proper spelling is aided by muscle memory. 

2. Improves hand-eye coordination

According to Zecher^[6], affected learners with dyslexia have difficulty learning to read because their brains associate sounds and letter combinations inefficiently. But cursive can help them with the decoding process because it integrates hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and other brain and memory functions. In this way, persons with dyslexia can learn better. The researcher and language specialist suggest that when people write things they remember them longer. 

While learning to write in cursive, children constantly look at the continuous movement when they are writing in connected letters. This is where their hand-eye coordination gets enhanced. It also makes them understand the difference between the connected cursive and the single-stroke seemingly separate print fonts. 

3. Reduces letter reversal or mirror writing

One of the symptoms of dyslexia is letter reversal or mirror-writing, which means that a child tends to write the letters upside down or backward sometimes, corresponding to their shape. By practicing and writing in cursive, the continuous and looped way of writing will familiarize letters, further preventing them from writing letters backward, upside down, or in an inverted manner. It will also help differentiate between similarly structured letters. 

Tips and strategies to improve cursive handwriting

As discussed above, cursive writing is quite beneficial for people with dyslexia. Having said that, it should be taken up more efficiently and given more importance, while planning interventions for those with dyslexia. There are many ways and hacks to improve handwriting overall. Below are some strategies to improve cursive handwriting. 

1. The type of paper

In the early stages of learning cursive writing, it is a good idea to use rule paper. In fact, initially, even double-lined paper can be used. This would help writing in a structured manner. Since cursive writing is continuous and connected, it is suggestible to write on ruled paper so that while maintaining the flow, the linearity is not neglected. 

2. Posture

Maintaining an upright and straight posture, yet comfortable is essential for a good cursive handwriting flow. Depending on whether the child is left-handed or right-handed, a position in which the hand is placed well on paper and works easily should be ensured. 

3. Grip

Helping children with dyslexia strengthen their grip for holding the pen or pencil appropriately while writing will improve their handwriting significantly. The tripod grip allows the fingers and wrist to move freely without putting much pressure on the hand. 

4. Handwriting Resources

Since practice is key, it is important for children to attempt writing in cursive every day. Practice and consistency will be vital to improving handwriting in cursive. Everything is reinforced with practice such as the grip, the formation of letters, the recognition, and the differentiation between letters. For this, there are numerous resources available online. 

The British Dyslexia Association has developed a Sound Check booklet for helping children with reading, spelling, and writing. 

Conclusion

Dyslexia is the inability to read, write, or spell properly. Often, children with dyslexia face difficulties in reading out aloud, take long pauses while reading very simple words, and are unable to spell and write even three-letter words and spell words appropriately.

Studies have found that cursive handwriting can turn out to be very helpful for affected learners to improve their reading and writing skills. It has proved to improve hand-eye coordination, recognition of letters, memory, speed, and letter reversal or mirror writing.

Practicing writing in cursive consistently can significantly improve certain symptoms of dyslexia and help children further their educational skills and knowledge. Those with dyslexia seem to benefit from cursive writing in many ways as discussed.

References

1. Giovagnoli, G., Vicari, S., Tomassetti, S., & Menghini, D. (2016). The Role of Visual-Spatial Abilities in Dyslexia: Age Differences in Children’s Reading? Frontiers in Psychology, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01997
2. James, K. H., & Engelhardt, L. (2012). The effects of handwriting experience on functional brain development in pre-literate children. Trends in Neuroscience and Education, 1(1), 32-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tine.2012.08.001
3. Bergland, C. (2020, October 18). Why cursive handwriting is good for your brain. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/202010/why-cursive-handwriting-is-good-your-brain
4. Ose Askvik, E., & H., A. L. (2020). The Importance of Cursive Handwriting Over Typewriting for Learning in the Classroom: A High-Density EEG Study of 12-Year-Old Children and Young Adults. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 550116. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01810
5. British Dyslexia Association. (n.d.). Handwriting – British Dyslexia Association. https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/advice/children/how-can-i-support-my-child/handwriting
6. How cursive can help students with dyslexia connect the dots. (2014, May 6). PBS NewsHour. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/education/connecting-dots-role-cursive-dyslexia-therapy

Dr. Deepak K.

Dr. Deepak Kansal, MBBS MD (Psychiatry) is currently working as Nodal Officer of the District Mental Health program at Civil Hospital Sangrur for the last 3 years. Apart from psychiatry and substance use patients, Dr. Deepak also treats children with neurodevelopment disorders including Intellectual disability, specific learning disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and other psychiatric disorders. His research work involved studying psychiatric comorbidities in cancer patients. You can follow him on Linkedin

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Our list of edges and catches not only gives a clear picture of cursive handwriting but also can act as a guide for you in learning cursive handwriting. Transverse through the post to understand both sides of the coin diligently. 

Understanding the essence of cursive handwriting 

Cursive handwriting is a style of writing where letters are joined together to make writing faster. What makes it preferable is that it reduces the number of pen lifts compared to block scripts. 

Penmanship was evident right from Sumerian civilizations, but there were no specific guidelines to make the script neat and organized. It was in the 1600s that a standardized format was developed, which ensured it was neat, smooth, and understandable. While it was called Roundhead, this style is still one of the commonly used cursive styles today. 

Later multiple upgrades brought many more sub-styles under the style. Today, there is a set of definitive regulations to write cursive, giving it a certain boundary to ensure attributes in all scripts. 

Cursive handwriting- Adorned with style!

One of the most important and basic traits of good handwriting is the appropriate presentation of letters and words. Cursive style can ensure this by blending organization and style. Here are a few edges of opting for cursive style in handwriting: 

1. Gives a Cosmetic upgrade to the manuscript

When a writer is ready to put words on paper, they have multiple options like print and cursive. Choosing cursive can add style and flavor to the monotonous text. For this reason, this cursive is preferred in adorning cards and banners. This implies Cursive handwriting can be a simplistic alternative to complex calligraphy.  

2. Better perception and Motor Control

Holding the pen/pencil in a righteous way and tracing text needs a better perception of words and language along with good hand motor skills. When children start learning and writing cursive handwriting, the complexity of curves can let them address these attributes. 

3. Multisensory training in the language

Cursive handwriting stipulates disciplined and wavy hand movements while recognizing letters. All of these can impact in providing better multisensory training to children in learning the basics of language. Moreover, the speed of learning can be enhanced by this style of writing. This is because the script is formatted in a way in which the writer has to lift the pen or pencil less frequently. This helps writers understand language in a multisensory manner.

4.. Activates the Right- hemisphere of the Brain

Writing and comprehending text in cursive handwriting needs special abilities. Traversing through cursive text can improve attention, cognition, and visual processing. These inferences are outlined in research^[1] conducted by Joseph B. Hellige. In this study, Joseph and the team studied which part of the brain contributes more towards processing handwritten cursive. English native speakers were asked to read a cursive consonant-vowel-consonant presentation. It is found that the right hemisphere has a major role in processing. 

The right hemisphere is responsible for better attention, cognition, and visual processing; the above inferences point out that cursive handwriting can activate the right hemisphere. 

5. Assists Learning-disabled aspirants 

Most of the learning disabled have challenges inferring text and connecting them with sounds and spellings; cursive handwriting can help them decode the process.  According to the International Dyslexia Association^[2], cursive style can help Dyslexic students in better hand-eye coordination and other memory functions. 

Cons of cursive handwriting- Diving into the catch

The cursive style has large set edges, but there are distinct corners that may not go in favor of all the writers. Digging deep into these traits is important to identify if any of these can be a constraint for a writer to opt for this style. 

1. It may not suit the formal application

Cursive handwriting is a groovy option to upscale the visual stance of text. But, these often don’t look formal. This style can be a good option to write on the cards, or for signatures, but when it comes to writing formal content like letters to school administration, students may need to look into print options.  

2. Print style is to be learned anyway

In today’s scenario, where students traverse through both online and offline resources, they are obligated to understand and learn the print style of language. Accordingly, cursive often can account for an added style- the choice of which can get subjective for students. Also, to learn typing, cursive may not be helpful. 

3. May need additional Efforts to learn

Manuscript and cursive are distinct styles of presenting data. Students need diverging efforts to learn both. Doreen Armitage^[3] did research to observe if there is a relation between manuscript and cursive writing. The tests compared the abilities of third-grade students by their performance in print and cursive handwriting. Evidently, this means that students with print styles should put in effort to learn cursive separately. 

4. Needs time to present data

Cursive handwriting is more about maintaining a proper flow of writing and obligates a smooth transition from one letter to another. Ensuring this can take more time. On the other hand, print scripts or keyboarding can be not only faster but also offers provisions to modify. Accordingly, cursive can take time for the presentation. 

5. Writing benefits can be availed without Cursive

Cursive handwriting is one of the well-liked handwritten fonts, but it is not a standard anywhere. Any task of writing can be fulfilled with or without knowledge of cursive style. These insights can impact the need to learn it. 

Concluding insights…

Even today, the cursive style of writing is well-liked and preferred by many students and teachers. Nonetheless, the growing importance of print style can make it obsolete. With that idea, it becomes subjective for an individual to choose a cursive style of writing. If you are looking to learn or opt for cursive writing, ensure to traverse through the list of pros and cons to arrive at a better and befitting decision. 

References

1. Hellige, J. B., & Adamson, M. M. (2007). Hemispheric differences in processing handwritten cursive. Brain and Language, 102(3), 215-227.
2. How cursive can help students with dyslexia connect the dots. (2014, May 6). PBS NewsHour. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/education/connecting-dots-role-cursive-dyslexia-therapy
3. Armitage, D., & Ratzlaff, H. (1985). The non-correlation of printing and writing skills. The Journal of Educational Research, 78(3), 174-177.

Manpreet Singh

An engineer, Maths expert, Online Tutor and animal rights activist. In more than 5+ years of my online teaching experience, I closely worked with many students struggling with dyscalculia and dyslexia. With the years passing, I learned that not much effort being put into the awareness of this learning disorder. Students with dyscalculia often misunderstood for having  just a simple math fear. This is still an underresearched and understudied subject. I am also the founder of Smartynote -‘The notepad app for dyslexia’, 

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