In an era where children have become accustomed to writing on digital screens, a return to traditional methods is gaining momentum.
Commencing this year, California's elementary school students are mandated to acquire proficiency in cursive handwriting, a skill that has waned in popularity amidst the dominance of computers.
Assembly Bill 446, championed by former elementary school educator Sharon Quirk-Silva and ratified into law in October, mandates handwriting instruction for the state's 2.6 million students in grades one through six, typically aged 6 to 12, with cursive lessons designated for the "appropriate" grade levels, generally regarded as third grade and beyond.
Experts affirm that mastering cursive enhances cognitive development, boosts reading comprehension, refines fine motor skills, and offers myriad other advantages. Additionally, educators recognize the educational value of deciphering historical manuscripts and personal correspondence from bygone eras.
At Orangethorpe Elementary School in Fullerton, situated approximately 30 miles (50 km) southeast of Los Angeles, Pamela Keller, a teacher for fourth through sixth graders, had already incorporated cursive instruction into her curriculum before the legislation took effect on January 1.
Acknowledging the challenges students face, Keller encourages perseverance by highlighting the cognitive benefits of cursive writing. She reassures her pupils that mastering cursive will enhance their intellect and foster brain connectivity, motivating them to embrace the learning process enthusiastically.
During recent cursive lessons, Keller offered gentle guidance to her students, imparting tips such as "Handle the pen with a light touch... An eraser is our ally... Embrace the elegance of loops."
Reflecting on a visit to the school library, Keller recounted a student's excitement upon encountering a copy of the US Constitution, exclaiming, "It's written in cursive!"
Several students expressed their enjoyment of learning cursive, despite its challenges. Nine-year-old Sophie Guardia, a fourth-grader, described cursive as "fancier" and "fun."
In another classroom, third-graders under Nancy Karcher's guidance shared varied reactions, ranging from "fun" and "beautiful" to practical considerations like being able to decipher parents' handwriting and keeping secrets through handwritten notes.
The resurgence of cursive instruction marks a departure from the digital age's dominance. While the Common Core education standards, introduced in 2010 to prepare students for college, omitted cursive instruction, recent legislative efforts signal a reversal of this trend.
California's adoption of cursive instruction reflects a broader nationwide movement, with 22 states mandating cursive handwriting since 2014, and an additional five states introducing similar bills in 2024 alone.
Leslie Zoroya, overseeing reading language arts projects at the Los Angeles County Office of Education, underscores the cognitive benefits of cursive writing, emphasizing its role in enhancing childhood development through the activation of diverse neural networks.
Quirk-Silva, inspired by a conversation with former Governor Jerry Brown, aims to ensure consistent cursive instruction across California's elementary schools, bridging a gap in educational standards and preserving an invaluable skill for future generations.
